^ 


^ 


*b 


^ 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arcliive 

in  2007  witli  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


littp://www.arGliive.org/details/courieroffortuneOOmarciala 


A  COURIER  OF  FORTUNE 


GERARD,   GERARD,"  CRIED  GABRIELLE 
IN  DIRE  ALARM 


A  Courier    ^ 
s  of  Fortune 

By  ARTHUR    W.   MARCHMONT 


Author  of  ^'By  Wit  of  Woman,"  ''The  Queen's  Advo- 
cate," ''By  Snare  of  Love,"  "In  The  Name  of  a 
Woman,"  "When  I  Was  Czar,"  etc.,  etc. 


A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY  Publishers 
^  /f  fi  ff   NEW  YORK   ^  ^  ^  ^ 


Copyright,    1904,   by 
ARTHUR    W.    MARCHMONT 


Copyright,    1 904,    by 
FREDERICK   A.    STOKES    COMPANY 


TO 

RALPH    STUART,  Esq. 

My  dear  Mr.  Stuart  :  I  dedicate  this  book  to  you  as  a  memento 
of  our  delightful  hours  of  travel  and  work  together  in  writing  the  play — 
"A  Courier  of  Fortune" — founded  upon  this  story.  The  circum- 
stances of  our  joint  literary  work  were  as  unusual  to  me  as  they  were 
fascinating ;  for,  although  the  play  was  commenced  in  London,  the  last 
"curtain  "  was  not  written  until  my  wife  and  I  had  crossed  the  Atlantic 
and  journeyed  with  you  on  a  tour  of  over  ten  thousand  miles  of  railway 
travelling,  through  so  many  of  the  marvels  of  this  wonderful  Continent. 
St.  Louis;  Denver;  Salt  Lake  City;  San  Francisco;  the  Pacific  Sea- 
board north  to  Puget  Sound ;  the  fertile  Palouse  Country ;  Washington, 
Idaho,  and  Montana — those  wealthy  States  of  boundless  promise  and 
marvellous  scenic  contrasts ;  the  cities  of  the  Lakes,  Duluth  and  Supe- 
rior ;  then  the  young  giant  twins,  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis ;  and  by 
way  of  Milwaukee  and  Chicago  to  New  York.  A  tour  of  momentous 
interest  and  a  collaboration  of  close-knit  sympathy,  cementing  a  friend- 
ship which,  I  assure  you,  is  one  of  the  pleasantest  things  of  my  life. 

Yours  ever, 

Arthur  W.  Marchmont. 


2137230 


CONTENTS 


I.  The  <'  Tiger  of  Morvaix  *' 
II.  The  Maison  de  Malincourt 

III.  Sinister  Hints     .... 

IV.  The  Duke's  Proposal 
V.  The  Tiger's  Claws      . 

VI.  "  I  Am  Known  as  Gerard  de  Cobalt 
VII.  At  Malincourt    .... 
VIII.  The  Plot  Thickens     . 
IX.  What  Denys  Knew 
X.  The  Accusation  .... 
XI.  The  Duke's  Sentence 
XII.  Gabrielle's  Friend 

XIII.  Discovery 

XIV.  "I  AM  NOT  Gerard  de  Cobalt" 
XV.  A  Prisoner  .... 

XVI.  Pascal  and  the  Spy    . 
XVII.  Gabrielle  Pleads 
XVIII.  In  the  ''Tiger's  Den" 
XIX.  A  Life  and  Death  Struggle 


FACE 

I 

lO 
21 

33 
43 

56 
68 
81 

94 
107 
118 
130 

145 
156 
168 
180 
190 
20X 
214 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

PAGB 

XX. 

A  Dash  for  the  Walls    . 

.      226 

XXI. 

At  Malincourt  Again 

•     237 

XXII. 

Pascal  Plays  Spy 

.     248 

XXIII. 

Lucette  as  Decoy    . 

•     259 

XXIV. 

Suspense    . 

.     272 

XXV. 

A  Ruse 

.     284 

XXVI. 

At  the  City  Gates 

•     295 

XXVII. 

Hunted     . 

.     308 

tXVIII. 

A  Rising  and  its  Sequel 

.     322 

XXIX. 

In  the  Hall  of  Audience 

•  333 

XXX. 

The  Troops  March 

•  349 

A  COURIER  OF  FORTUNE 


CHAPTER    I 

THE   "  TIGER   OF   MORVAIX  ** 

THE  hot  noontide  sun  was  pouring  down  into  the 
market  place  of  Morvaix  and  in  the  shadow  cast 
by  the  great  Cross  of  St.  Jean  in  the  centre,  a 
handsome  but  very  soberly  dressed  cavalier  was  shelter- 
ing from  the  fierce  July  heat  and  closely  observing  the 
townspeople  as  they  clustered  here  and  there  to  engage 
in  eager  animated  discussion.  Every  now  and  then  he 
cast  sweeping  impatient  glances  in  all  directions  in  evi- 
dent search  of  some  one  whose  delay  irritated  him. 

It  was  plain  even  to  a  stranger's  eyes  that  the  townsfolk 
were  greatly  excited,  and  that  the  reason  which  had 
drawn  the  people  from  their  houses  was  both  urgent  and 
disturbing.  All  classes  were  present — burghers,  mer- 
chants, shopkeepers,  workmen,  'prentices,  down  to  the 
poorest  of  the  labourers  and  peasants.  Men,  women 
and  children  alike  were  gathered  there ;  the  men  set-faced 
and  bitter,  the  women  sad  and  anxious.  Discontent, 
anger,  fear  and  sorrow  were  the  emotions  evinced  among 
all  save  the  many  soldiers  who  moved  among  the  excited 
knots,  with  leers  for  the  women  and  oaths  for  the  men, 
and  jibes  and  ribald  laughter  one  to  another. 

The  young  cavalier's  face  darkened  as  he  listened,  and 
more  than  once  he  started  as  if  he  would  interfere,  but 


n  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

checked  himself.  His  keen,  quick  blue  eyes  were  every- 
where ;  and  presently  catching  sight  of  two  closely-cowled 
monks  clad  in  the  black  habit  of  their  order,  who  showed 
at  a  secluded  corner  of  the  square,  he  left  his  shelter  and 
went'  toward  them  quickly  but  cautiously. 

As  he  reached  them  one  gave  him  a  monkish  greeting 
and  the  other  a  military  salute. 

"I  half  feared  you  had  forgotten  the  appointment,"  he 
said,  in  a  tone  of  authority ;  "  and  you  are  certainly  for- 
getting your  part,  Pascal.  Monks  don't  salute  like 
soldiers." 

"  Don't  I  know  it  ?  "  was  the  reply,  laughingly  spoken. 
*'  I  haven't  trained  all  our  tough  fellows  in  the  monkish 
drill  for  nothing.  I'll  tell  my  beads  against  Dubois  here 
for  a  stoup  of  wine  " ;  and  taking  in  hand  the  rosary 
which  hung  conspicuously  at  his  side,  he  commenced  to 
mumble  a  string  of  nonsense  words,  and  laughed  again, 

"  Peace,  man,  peace !  "  said  the  other  monk,  much  older 
in  years.    "  You'll  be  overheard  and  ruin  all." 

"  Tush !  they'll  only  think  it's  my  priestly  Latin." 

"  I  fear  I  ought  to  have  left  you  in  Paris,  Pascal,"  said 
the  cavalier.  "  I  was  warned  your  unruly  tongue  would 
play  the  mischief  with  a  scheme  that  calls  for  tact  and 
silence." 

"  Nay,  my  lord " 

"  Not,  my  lord,  here.  I  am  not  Gerard  de  Bourbon  for 
a  few  days.  I  have  borrowed  the  name  of  that  dicing 
scoundrel,  Raoul  de  Cobalt,  and  am  Gerard  de  Cobalt. 
Remember  that,  and  watch  your  words  until  you  have 
learnt  that  lesson." 

"  I  shall  not  forget.  This  holy  man  here,  Dubois,  will 
keep  me  in  order,"  answered  Pascal  with  a  smile. 

"  Tell  me  the  news,  Dubois." 

"  All  has  gone  as  you  wished.  The  men  have  all 
arrived;  and  yesterday  I  sought  an  interview  with  the 
Governor  and  did  all  as  you  had  directed." 


THE    "TIGER    OF    MORVAIX"  j 

"  He  swallowed  the  bait  ?  " 

"  Readily.  I  told  him  that  the  Cardinal  Archbishop 
had  sent  him  a  hundred  fighting  men  for  his  troops,  and 
craved  permission  for  the  hundred  begging  friars  to  re- 
main in  the  city  until  the  pilgrimage  southward  could  be 
resumed." 

"  Good." 

"  I  brought  the  monks  in,"  interposed  Pascal.  "  A 
hundred  tough  stalwarts,  every  man  as  sober  as  a  begging^ 
friar  should  be ;  all  telling  their  beads  with  unctuous 
unanimit}^,  uttering  '  Pax  Vobiscum '  with  fervid  zeal, 
and  praying  as  only  Bourbons  can  pray — for  a  fight." 

"  Have  a  care,  brother,"  cried  Dubois  quickly,  as  a  knot 
of  the  townsfolk  passed. 

"  Have  I  not  always  care,  holy  brother  ?  "  cried  Pascal, 
taking  his  rosary  in  hand  again  and  mumbling  his  Pater- 
noster in  tones  loud  enough  to  reach  the  passers'  ears. 
"  A  fine  achievement,  M.  de  Cobalt,  but  it  will  not  last."^ 

"  What  mean  you  ?  "  asked  Gerard  quickly. 

"  Soldiers  are  soldiers,  and  it  takes  more  than  a  monk's 
gabardine  to  change  them.  When  pretty  girls  come  buz- 
zing round,  craving  '  A  blessing,  holy  father,'  and  look- 
ing so  sweet  and  piteous,  it's  not  in  nature,  at  least  in 
soldiers'  nature,  not  to  kiss  'em.  Cherry  lips  lifted  in 
supplication  are  strong  enemies  of  this  new  discipline. 
I  know  it  myself." 

"  For  shame,  Pascal !  "  cried  Dubois  sternly.  "  Are  we 
to  betray  everything  for  a  pair  of  laughing  eyes  ?  " 

"  Anything  can  happen  when  there's  a  shapely  nose,  a 
kissable  mouth,  and  two  soft  cheeks  to  complete  the  face. 
Let  there  be  haste,  I  say,  or,  Bourbons  or  no  Bourbons, 
those  lips  will  get  kissed ;  and  then  there  may  be  the  devil 
to  pay." 

"  There  is  reason  in  his  madcap  words,  Dubois,"  said 
Gerard  after  a  pause. 

"  Aye,  even  a  fool  can  tell  the  truth,"  laughed  PascaL 


4  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  But  we  must  wait  till  I  have  proofs.  When  the  news 
of  this  governor's  evil  doings  came  to  my  father's  ears  he 
sent  me  to  learn  the  truth ;  and  while  bidding  me  act  as  I 
v/ould,  enjoined  me  to  do  nothing  until  I  had  clear  proofs. 
A  Bourbon  does  not  act  on  mere  rumours." 

"  Proofs !  "  broke  in  Pascal  with  a  swift  change  to 
earnestness.  "  In  the  devil's  name,  what  better  proof  of 
the  man's  deeds  could  you  find  than  that  which  is  writ 
large  on  the  wretched,  starving  faces  of  the  people? 
Look  at  them — faces  that  the  devil  grins  to  see  when  he 
would  tempt  men  and  women  to  sin." 

"  I  came  in  during  the  night  only,  and  have  seen  little 
or  nothing  yet,"  said  Gerard,  "  What  is  the  meaning 
of  this  gathering?  " 

"  This  devil  spawn  of  a  governor  has  a  new  ordinance 
to  proclaim,  a  new  tyranny  to  enact,"  said  Pascal.  "  He 
wiU  tax  afresh  to  half  its  value  every  ounce  of  foodstuff 
that  comes  into  the  city.  As  if  the  poor  wretches  were 
not  already  half-starving.  And  this  tax  will  finish  them. 
Look  at  them  and  say  if  the  Governor  is  not  justly 
dubbed  the  Tiger  of  Morvaix  ?  They  are  waiting  his  com- 
ing now  with  the  heralds.  Of  a  truth  I  would  as  Hef 
dwell  in  hell  as  in  Morvaix  under  Bourbon  sway  though 
it  be  in  name,  and  Bourbon  as  I  am  to  the  core." 

"  We  have  had  other  and  weightier  matters  to  occupy 
us  than  the  troubles  of  a  small  province  so  remote,"  said 
Gerard,  with  a  frown  at  Pascal's  words.  "  But  if  the 
tale  of  wrongs  be  warranted,  the  Governor,  Duke  de 
Rochelle  though  he  be,  will  answer  to  me  for  them." 

"  By  all  reports  he  will  answer  to  no  man  but  him- 
self." 

"  Enough,  Pascal,"  said  Gerard,  with  a  wave  of  the 
hand.    "  There  appear  to  be  over  many  soldiers,  Dubois." 

"  And  report  says  theirs  are  the  only  mouths  that 
take  enough  food,"  broke  in  Pascal,  "  Your  fighting 
man  must  be  fed,  of  course ;  but  when  it  comes  to  feed- 


THE    "TIGER    OF    MORVAIX "  5 

ing  him  with  the  food  for  which  all  others  starve,  it  is 
first  cousin  to  cannibalism." 

"  The  number  of  the  soldiery  has  surprised  me,"  said 
Dubois  seriously.  "  They  are  far  too  many  for  our 
small  band  to  do  much.  It  is  well  your  cousin's  army 
lies  so  close  to  Cambrai.    This  governor  will  fight  hard." 

"  If  his  soldiers  are  loyal  to  him,  it  argues  in  his 
favour,"  replied  Gerard  thoughtfully.  "  We  know  to 
what  lengths  the  burghers  of  a  town  may  be  driven  by 
their  jealousy  of  us  soldiers.    We  must  wait." 

"  And  if  we  wait  but  a  little  while  there  will  be  no 
grievances  left.  Those  who  have  them  will  be  dead," 
cried  Pascal  with  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders. 

"  I  need  no  taunts  of  yours,  Pascal,  to  stir  me  to  do 
great  Bourbon's  will,"  answered  Gerard  with  some 
sternness. 

"  I  meant  no  taunt,  and  spoke  only  my  mind  as 
friend  to  friend,"  said  Pascal. 

"  The  Governor  is  coming  now,"  put  in  Dubois. 

"  We  had  better  not  be  seen  longer  together.  Where 
shall  I  find  you  at  need  ?  " 

"  The  Duke  has  lodged  Pascal  and  myself  in  his 
castle,"  answered  Dubois,  and  the  two  were  turning 
away  when  Gerard  exclaimed,  in  a  tone  of  excitement — 

"  See,  Dubois,  see,  that  man  riding  by  the  side  of 
the  Governor.    Do  you  recognize  him  ?  " 

"  It  is  that  villain,  de  Proballe." 

"  The  old  rat,  so  it  is,"  declared  Pascal.  "  If  there  is 
devil's  work  to  be  done  in  Morvaix  he'll  be  in  it.  Paris 
was  too  hot  for  him.  I  thought  he  was  in  hell  by  now. 
By  the  saints,  he  is  long  overdue." 

Gerard  did  not  wait  to  hear  the  conclusion  of  the 
speech,  but  mingling  with  the  crowd  watched  the  pro- 
ceedings with  close  interest. 

It  was  a  very  strong  force  of  soldiery,  both  horse 
and  foot,  that  gathered  in  the  market  place  round  the 


6  A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

statue,  large  enough  to  brush  away  like  so  many  flies 
the  crowd  of  citizens,  who  fell  back  hushed  and  awe- 
stricken  before  the  muskets  and  halberds  which  were 
used  with  much  wilful  violence. 

The  Governor  of  the  city,  the  Duke  Charles  de 
Rochelle,  seated  on  his  charger,  a  magnificent  coal  black 
Flemish  animal,  drew  up  in  the  centre  of  the  cleared 
space,  and  gazed  v/ith  amused  contemptuousness  upon 
the  shrinking  burghers. 

He  made  a  striking  centre-piece.  Short  and  slight 
of  figure,  yet  suggesting  suppleness  and  strength,  his 
fifty  years  sat  lightly  on  him.  His  fair  hair  had  scarce 
a  touch  of  grey,  and  his  pointed  auburn  beard  and 
flowing  moustache  might  have  belonged  to  a  man 
twenty  years  his  junior.  His  features,  strong  and 
regular,  would  have  been  handsome  but  for  the  small 
close-set  grey  eyes,  whose  cold,  hawk-like  glitter  was  ren- 
dered additionally  repulsive  by  a  strong  cast. 

"  The  eyes  of  a  wild  beast,"  thought  Gerard,  who 
had  been  watching  him  intently.  "  Well  named  the 
Tiger." 

At  a  signal  from  the  Governor,  the  herald  stepped 
forward  amid  a  blare  of  trumpets  and  read  the  procla- 
mation. The  people  listened  in  dead  silence;  but  at 
the  close,  loud  murmurs  broke  out  which  even  the 
presence  of  the  soldiery  could  not  wholly  check. 

"  It  means  starvation  to  us,"  cried  one  lusty  voice, 
and  a  powerful  fellow,  a  smith,  wielding  the  heavy 
hammer  of  his  trade,  broke  through  the  ring  of  the 
soldiers  and  made  as  if  to  approach  the  Governor. 

"  What  dog  is  this  that  dares  to  bay  ?  "  It  was  the 
Duke  who  spoke. 

"I  am  no  dog,  my  lord,  but  a  burgher  of  Morvaix, 
and  I  do  but  speak  what  all  here  know,"  answered  the 
smith  sturdily. 

The  Duke  fixed  his  keen  eyes  on  the  man's  face,  and 


THE    "TIGER    OF    MORVAIX"  7 

without  a  word  signed  to  some  of  those  about  him. 
Three  soldiers  sprang  toward  the  smith,  who  faced 
them  fearlessly,  and  lifted  his  hammer. 

"  I  have  done  no  wrong.  No  man  shall  touch  me,'* 
he  said  threateningly. 

"  Down  with  the  rebel  dog,"  cried  the  Duke ;  and  at 
the  words  the  soldiers,  who  had  hesitated,  rushed  upon 
the  smith.  Two  went  down  with  broken  heads  from 
blows  of  the  terrible  hammer;  but  the  third  got  his 
halberd  in,  and  as  the  man  lay  on  the  ground  some 
others  dashed  forward  and  one  of  them  thrust  home 
to  his  heart. 

"  So  perish  all  rebels,"  cried  the  Governor,  in  a 
ringing  tone  to  the  crowd;  and  at  the  threat  and  the; 
sight  of  the  smith's  blood  the  people  shrank  together 
and  cowered. 

The  Duke  smiled  coldly  on  the  crowd,  and  without 
another  word  signed  for  the  procession  to  reform  and 
march  on,  the  people  shrinking  and  cowering  in  silence 
from  the  troops  as  they  passed. 

Gerard's  hot  blood  had  fired  at  the  scene,  and  he 
stood  looking  after  the  Governor  with  a  heart  hot  with 
indignant  anger  at  the  foul  injustice  he  had  wit- 
nessed. 

His  two  followers  in  monkish  garb  crossed  to  him 
and  as  the  three  whispered  together,  they  were  startled 
by  the  sound  of  a  woman's  wailing.  It  was  the  dead 
man's  wife.  She  had  heard  the  news  and  came  rushing 
upon  the  scene  in  wild  disordered  distress,  carrying 
her  babe  in  her  arms. 

As  she  was  nearing  the  body,  a  girl  attended  by  a 
page,  whose  attire  evidenced  his  mistress'  high  station, 
met  her  and  with  tender  solicitude  offered  such  consola- 
tion as  was  possible. 

Gerard's  gaze,  attracted  by  the  girl's  beauty,  followed 
the  couple  as  together  they  approached  the  body,  v/hich. 


8  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

had  now  been  lifted  by  some  of  the  sympathizing  towns- 
folk; and  then  with  a  cry  of  anger  he  dashed  hotly 
toward  them,  followed  by  his  companions. 

There  was  indeed  cause  for  his  anger.  Several  of 
the  brutal  soldiers  had  rushed  upon  the  men  carrying 
the  corpse,  and  with  oaths  and  blows  and  threats  of 
the  Duke's  anger,  seized  the  body  from  them  and  flung 
it  on  the  ground. 

The  girl,  courageously  placing  herself  between  the 
soldiers  and  the  frightened  townsfolk,  had  turned  upon 
the  former  and  ordered  them  away;  but  the  bullies, 
strong  in  the  protection  of  their  tyrant  master  and 
presuming  on  their  license  to  deal  as  they  would  with 
the  people,  first  jeered  at  her  coarsely  and  then  thrust 
her  roughly  aside  while  one  of  them  ran  and  kicked  the 
corpse  with  wanton  brutality. 

It  was  the  attack  on  the  girl  which  drove  Gerard  to 
interfere.  He  was  by  her  side  in  an  instant,  flung  the 
man  who  had  touched  her  to  the  ground,  and  with 
eyes  flashing  and  hand  on  his  sword,  dared  the  men  to 
interfere  further. 

The  soldiers  were  still  present  in  the  square  in  great 
force,  however,  and  attracted  by  the  tumult  many  came 
rallying  to  the  side  of  their  comrades.  At  the  same 
time,  inspirited  by  Gerard's  daring,  a  great  crowd  of 
the  townsfolk  closed  up  behind  him ;  and  it  seemed  im- 
possible that  a  conflict  could  be  avoided. 

There  was  a  moment  of  hesitation,  however,  while 
the  two  opposing  bodies  glared  angrily  at  one  another, 
and  Pascal  with  ready  wit  seized  it  to  step  between 
them,  and  with  uplifted  crucifix  threatened  the  soldiers 
with  the  ban  of  Holy  Church  if  they  attempted  further 
violence  to  either  dead  or  living. 

While  he  was  haranguing  them  in  loud  and  vehement 
tones,  a  number  of  men  in  monkish  dress  appeared 
almost  as  if  by  magic,  and  pushing  through  the  citizens 


THE    "TIGER    OF    MORVAIX "  9 

ranged  themselves  at  his  side,  thus  giving  an  impressive 
background  to  his  exhortation. 

The  soldiers,  abashed  by  this  strange  opposition,  hung 
I  ack  in  doubt,  and  the  citizens  having  in  the  mean- 
while borne  the  dead  body  away,  the  trouble  ended 
in  nothing  more  serious  than  muttered  threats  and 
oaths  from  the  soldiers  and  stern  remonstrances  from 
the  monks. 

When  the  soldiers  had  drawn  off,  Gerard  turned  to 
seek  the  girl  the  attack  on  whom  had  provoked  him 
to  interfere,  but  she  had  vanished. 

With  an  eagerness  which  brought  a  smile  to  Pascal's 
face,  Gerard  plied  those  about  him  with  questions 
regarding  her,  and  learnt  that  she  was  Mademoiselle  de 
Malincourt,  and  had  gone  away  to  comfort  the  trouble- 
stricken  woman  whose  husband  had  been  the  victim  of 
the  morning's  tragedy. 

"  You  did  shrewdly,  Pascal,"  said  Dubois,  when  the 
two  were  alone. 

"  Our  good  fellows  won't  thank  me,  for,  like  myself, 
their  fingers  were  tingling  to  be  at  some  of  the  rascals' 
throats.    Where's  the  young  lord,  Gerard  ?  " 

"  Gone  in  search  of "   Pascal's  laugh  interposed 

to  finish  the  sentence. 

"  Aye,  aye.  We  can  understand.  There's  a  woman 
in  the  thing  now,  of  course.  And  we  shall  hear  more 
of  her,  or  I  am  a  monk  indeed,  and  no  soldier,  which 
God  forefend." 


CHAPTER  II 

THE   MAISON  DE   MALINCOURT 

SOME  two  or  three  hours  after  the  scene  in  the 
market  place  a  girl  sat  at  her  spinning  wheel  on 
the  terrace  of  the  Maison  de  Malincourt,  opposite 
the  head  of  the  stately  flight  of  steps  leading  down  to 
the  wide  gardens.  She  had  placed  her  wheel  in  an 
angle  of  the  southern  turret  so  that  she  could  ply  her  task 
in  comfort,  protected  from  the  rays  of  the  July  sun. 

She  was  Lucette  de  Boisdegarde,  the  foster-sister  and 
close  friend  of  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt,  for  whose 
coming  she  was  now  waiting  with  as  much  patience 
as  her  quick  vivacious  temperament  permitted. 

Her  industry  was  only  fitful.  At  times  her  shapely 
little  foot  pressed  with  insistent  vigour  upon  the 
treadle  and  the  wheel  flew  round  rapidly,  as  if  keeping 
pace  with  the  thoughts  that  drew  her  dark  pretty  face 
into  a  frown  of  petulance  and  made  her  large  eyes 
flash  with  gathering  purpose.  But  the  wheel  was  often 
still  and  she  would  sit  back,  idly  fingering  the  threads 
of  gleaming  flax  and  thinking,  while  her  gaze  would 
roam  over  the  blaze  of  lovely  flowers  in  the  garden,  or 
stray  away  to  the  red  roofs  of  the  city  which  showed 
through  the  skirting  trees  beyond,  or  rest  curiously  on 
the  vacant  seat  at  her  side  on  the  cushions  of  which 
lay  some  needlework. 

She  was  in  one  of  these  preoccupied  moods  when  her 
sharp  ear  caught  the  sound  of  a  footstep.  In  a  moment 
she  set  the  treadle  of  her  wheel  whirling  swiftly,  while 

lO 


MAISON    DE    MALINCOURT  ii 

she  crooned  to  herself  the  air  of  a  ballad  of  the  time, 
and  appeared  too  deeply  engrossed  in  her  work  and 
song  to  have  eyes  or  ears  for  anything  else. 

Yet  young  Denys  St.  Jean  was  worth  looking  at. 
Well-built  he  was,  soldierly  in  bearing  and  self-reliant 
in  mien,  with  a  fair  frank  honest  face,  though  now  grave 
with  thought  and  purpose,  as  he  turned  the  corner  of 
the  Maison  at  a  slow  deliberate  pace. 

Seeing  Lucette  he  started  and  his  face  brightened; 
and  he  smiled  as  he  perceived  her  absorption  in  her 
task  was  overacted.  He  hesitated  just  an  instant  as 
if  about  to  speak  to  her,  but  with  a  slight  frown  checked 
the  inclination,  walked  on  a  few  paces,  lingered  again, 
and  then  stopped. 

Lucette  meanwhile  was  treading  her  wheel  vigor- 
ously and  singing  sweetly  to  herself — 

There  was  once  a  maiden  in  Arcady, 
Whose  lover  so  feal  and  true 
Came  riding  forth  from  the  sullen  north 
Her  sweet  white  hand  to  woo. 


During  the  verse  Denys  stood  with  his  back  to  the 
singer,  his  arms  folded  in  an  attitude  suggestive  of 
antagonism;  but  once  or  twice,  when  he  half-turned 
toward  her,  the  smile  on  his  lips  and  the  light  in  his 
eyes  told  of  very  different  feelings. 

When  the  song  ceased  he  maintained  his  attitude  of 
indifference,  keeping  his  back  to  her  and  his  arms  still 
folded,  waiting  for  her  to  speak ;  but  when  she  gave 
no  sign  that  she  knew  of  his  presence,  he  turned  and 
stole  up  behind  her  softly,  with  a  smile  of  expectation, 
and  bent  over  her. 

Her  industry  and  absorption  appeared  to  increase, 
however,  and  her  foot  pressed  the  treadle,  the  wheel 
flew   rotmd,  and   her   white  fingers  flashed  hither  and 


la  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

thither,  tending  the  flax,  gathering  the  thread,  adjusting 
this  and  smoothing  that,  while  all  the  while  she  crooned 
the  old  ballad. 

Her  patience  beat  him  at  length. 

*'  You  know  I'm  here,"  he  whispered. 

"  Ah,  Antoine,  I  knew  your  tread." 

"  Antoine ! "  exclaimed  Denys  with  an  angry  start, 
"  what  do  you  mean  by  that,  Lucette  ?  " 

The  wheel  stopped  and  she  looked  round,  her  face  a 
pretty  mask  of  coquettish  surprise  and  her  eyes  beaming 
with  mischief. 

"So,  it  is  not  Antoine!"  with  just  a  suggestion  of 
disappointment  in  the  tone,  a  little  shrug  of  the  shapely 
shoulders,  and  a  pout.  "  Only  you.  I  thought  you 
were  gone  for  ever." 

"  You  will  drive  me  away,  if  you  treat  me  like  this. 
What  did  you  mean  about  knowing  Antoine's  tread  ?  " 

For  a  second  she  let  her  roguish  eyes  rest  on  his,  and 
then   she  smiled. 

"  His  feet  are  so  big  and  so  clumsy,"  she  said,  and 
turned  again  to  her  wheel. 

"  Do  )'ou  mean  you  meet  him  so  often  you  can 
recognize  them  ?  " 

"  Recognize  them !  Mon  Dieu,  they  are  not  feet  to 
forget  when  once  seen,"  she  cried  lightly. 

"  You  can't  pass  it  off  like  that,  Lucette.  Were  you 
expecting  him  here  this  afternoon?  Is  that  what  you 
mean  ?  "      He  was  still  angry  and  his  tone  very  earnest. 

"  I  didn't  expect  you.  Monsieur  Catechist." 

"  And  you  meant  to  amuse  yourself  with  him  in  my 
absence  ?  " 

She  turned  and  made  a  pretty  grimace  of  dismay 
and  spread  out  her  hands. 

"  Is  it  an  hour  since  you  said  you  would  never  speak 
to  me  again  ?  What  then  does  it  matter  to  you  ?  Would 
you  play  the  dog  in  the  manger  ? " 


MAISON    DE    MALINCOURT  13 

"  Will  you  answer  my  question  ?  " 

"  Why  do  you  come  back  at  all  when  all  is  at  an  end 
between  us?    You  said  so." 

"Don't  you  know  why  I  come  back?"  The  tone 
was  full  of  feeling;  but  Lucette  merely  shrugged  her 
shoulders. 

"  To  see  if  you  had  made  me  miserable,  I  suppose  ? 
You  have  not ;  "  and  she  burst  again  into  her  song, 
when  Denys  caught  her  by  the  wrist,  and  looked  in- 
tently into  her  face. 

"  Do  you  mean  you  don't  care,  Lucette?  " 

"  I  care  not  to  have  my  arm  bruised  with  your  great 
clumsy  hands.     Antoine  would  never " 

"  To  hell  with  your  Antoine ! "  he  burst  in  vehe- 
mently. "  You  play  with  me  as  a  cat  with  a  bird ; " 
and  throwing  her  hand  from  him  he  turned  and  strode 
away.  He  got  no  farther  than  the  corner  of  the  house, 
and  looking  back  saw  her  leaning  against  the  wall 
nursing  her  arm  as  if  in  pain.  "  Forgive  me,  Lucette," 
he  cried  remorsefully,  hastening  back.  "  I  am  a  brute ; 
you  fire  my  blood  when  you  make  me  jealous.  If  you 
love  Antoine  de  Cavannes  better  than  me,  say  so  now, 
and  let  me  go.    But  don't  torture  me." 

She  stood  nursing  her  arm  and  looking  up  at  him. 

"Torture  you,  is  it?  Torture  yoiif"  and  she  held 
her  arm  up  in  reproach. 

''  You  have  only  to  say  the  word,  and  111  never 
trouble  you  again.  It  can't  be  both  Antoine  and  me. 
Choose !  " 

"  Choose !  "  she  repeated,  mocking  his  serious  tone. 
Then  with  a  laugh  and  a  change  to  coquettish  hesita- 
tion :  "  Hot-tempered,  handsome  Denys  or  splay-footed, 
ugly  Antoine,  eh?  It  can't  be  both  of  you,  eh?  And 
if "     She  paused  teasingly. 

"  In  God's  name,  can't  you  be  serious  ?  " 

"  When   I   am,   I'll  choose  neither  of  you,   but  just 


14  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

bury  myself  in  a  nunnery.  So  good-bye,  my  lord 
surly-face ; "  and  she  burst  into  a  laugh. 

"  You   mean    that  good-bye  ?  " 

"  When  did  I  wish  you  anything  but  good  ?  " 

"  You'll  drive  me  away  from  you  and  from  Mor- 
vaix,"  he  said  angrily. 

"  Oh,  you'll  soon  be  back  again." 

"  You  think  you  can  play  with  me  as  you  will." 

"  Stupid !  As  if  I  cared  where  you  go !  But  you 
can't  leave  Gabrielle.  You  can  be  many  nasty  things, 
but  at  least  you  can't  be  untrue  to  your  trust." 

His  angry  features  relaxed  somewhat  at  this. 

"  I  wish  I  could  read  your  heart." 

"  So  does  Antoine." 

Angered  again  at  this,  a  hot  retort  was  stayed  on 
his  lips  as  Gabrielle  de  Malincourt  stepped  out  of  one 
of  the  tall  windows  of  the  terrace  close  to  them. 

"  Ah,  my  good  Denys,  and,  of  course,  Lucette,"  she 
said  with  a  smile. 

"  It  should  be  the  other  order,  mademoiselle,  I  fear," 
he  answered.  "  Lucette,  and  of  course,  Denys.  It  is 
Denys  who  is  '  of  course.'  " 

Gabrielle  glanced  at  them  both  and  understood. 

"  Quarrelling  again !  Lucette,  Lucette.  You  treat 
him  villainously.  But  never  mind,  Denys.  I  know 
what's  in  her  heart  whatever  her  lips  may  say." 

"  Gabrielle,    I "   began   Lucette   in   protest,   when 

Gabrielle  interposed. 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  know  what  you  would  say.  But  I  am 
not  Denys.  When  the  sea  is  very  calm  some  people 
like  to  rock  a  boat  to  make  pretence;  but  when  the 
storm  comes  in  reality  it's  all  very  different.  Wait  till 
there  comes  a  bit  of  a  storm,  Denys,  and  you'll  see  the 
truth.  If  Lucette  had  been  I  just  now  in  the  market 
place  and  you  had  been  at  hand,  you  would  have  seen 
to  wliom  she  would  have  turned." 


MAISON    DE    MALINCOURT  15 

*•  Has  anything  chanced,  mademoiselle  ?  "  asked  Denys 
quickly. 

"  That  which  made  me  wish  for  you,  good  Denys.  I 
had  visited  poor  old  Jacques  Boulanger  and  was  re- 
turning through  the  market  place  just  when  the  heralds 
has  proclaimed  this  new  and  shameful  ordinance  of 
the  Governor's — a  tax  so  cruel  that  it  makes  my  blood 
boil.  A  terrible  thing  occurred.  Babillon,  the  smith, 
sprang  forward  to  protest,  and  the  Governor,  holding 
him  for  a  rebel,  had  him  done  to  death  there  cmi  the 
spot  by  his  brutal  soldiers." 

**  How  horrible !  "  exclaimed  Lucette. 

"  But  you,  mademoiselle  ?  "  asked  Denys. 

"  I  had  just  heard  the  news  when  his  wife  came 
rushing  through  the  place  like  one  distraught,  and  I 
was  seeking  to  comfort  her  in  her  anguish  when  the 
soldiers — oh,  they  are  fiends,  those  men! — attacked  the 
citizens  who  had  lifted  the  smith's  body  to  bear  it  home, 
flung  the  dead  on  the  ground,  and  when,  burning  with 
indignation,  I  ordered  them  to  desist,  they  turned  on 
me,  one  of  them  thrust  me  violently  aside,  and  would 
have  done  I  know  not  what  next,  had  not  a  cavalier, 
a  stranger,  rushed  up  to  help  me." 

"  Would  I  had  been  there,  mademoiselle ! "  exclaimed 
Denys  angrily.     "  Would  you  know  the  fellow  again  ?  " 

"  Do  you  mean  the  stranger  cavalier  ?  "  asked  Lucette, 
with  a  light  of  mischief  in  her  eyes. 

"  Nay,  Lucette,  do  not  jest,"  said  Gabrielle  earnestly. 
"  The  man  was  punished  for  his  act,  Denys.  The 
cavalier  struck  him  to  the  ground  and  faced  the  whole 
of  them  fearlessly;  and  I  dreaded  for  a  moment  that  a 
conflict  would  follow,  for  there  are  not  many  in  Mor- 
vaix  who  would  see  me  harmed.  But  a  monk  inter- 
vened then  and  the  danger  was  averted.  Babillon's 
body  was  carried  away,  and  I  went  with  the  wretched 
woman  whom  I  have  but  now  left,  all  desolate,  broken 


i6  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

and  whelmed  by  her  sorrow.  These  are  ill  days  in- 
deed   for   Morvaix." 

"  But  the  men  who  maltreated  you,  mademoiselle,  can 
be  found,  nay,  must  be  found  and  punished,"  cried 
Denys  warmly. 

"  It  is  of  no  matter  now,  Denys.  It  is  over ;  beside 
the  cruel  wrongs  done  to  the  people,  my  little  hurt  is 
nothing.  These  soldiers,  moreover,  are  but  hirelings, 
and  do  no  more  than  hirelings'  work.  But  there  is  one 
quest — you  must  find  the  cavalier  who  served  me." 

Lucette  looked  up. 

"  You  learnt  his  name,  Gabrielle  ? "  she  asked 
quickly, 

"  Nay,  for  I  left  the  place  with  Babillon's  wife — wife 
alas !  no  more,  but  widow,  poor  soul." 

"  The  cavalier,  Gabrielle,  was  he  handsome  as  well 
as  brave  ?  "  asked  Lucette  after  a  pause. 

A  faint  tinge  of  colour  tinted  Gabrielle's  cheeks  as 
she  answered. 

"  In  truth,  I  scarce  had  time  to  see,  Lucette ;  but  he 
seemed  in  all  respects  a  manly  man,  a  figure  of  dis- 
tinction truly.  Tall  and  knightly  in  mien ;  his  face 
unbearded  and  full  of  strength,  yet  kindly  and  courteous ; 
fair  in  colouring;  and  his  blue  eyes,  keen  and  flashing 
fire  as  he  faced  the  soldiery,  were  gentle  and  solicitous 
vi^hen  viewing  my  plight;  his  voice  resolute  with  the 
tone  of  one  accustomed  to  command ;  yet  tuned  to  gentle 
accents,  as  it  seemed  to  me.  I  much  mistake  me  if  he 
be  not  a  knight  of  loftier  station  than  his  sober  brown 
attire  would  seem  to  bespeak  him.  A  most  gallant 
gentleman  and  a  brave  heart." 

"  You  saw  much,  cousin,  it  seems,  although  you  had 
no  time,  as  you  say ; "  and  Lucette,  with  a  smile  to 
herself,  turned  to  her  spinning  wheel. 

"  I  will  seek  him  out,  mademoiselle,"  said  Denys, 
"  and  no  doubt  shall  find  him.  Shall  I  give  him  any 
message  ?  " 


MAISON    DE    MALINCOURT  17 

"  I  could  not  even  stay  to  thank  him,  and  would 
wish  to  do  so.    Let  him  know  as  much." 

"  Before  I  go,  there  is  a  grave  matter  on  which  I 
would  speak  with  you." 

"  Not  now,  Denys,  but  afterward.  He  must  not 
think  Gabrielle  de  Malincourt  ungrateful.  I  beg  you 
hasten  at  once  in  quest  of  him." 

"  I  will  go,"  he  answered,  and  turning  toward  Lucette,  * 
said  nervously :  "  Lucette,  I " 

"  We  can  finish  our  quarrel  when  you  return,"  she 
interposed.  **  I  may  forgive  you  if  you  do  Gabrielle's 
service  quickly."  Her  tone  was  one  of  indifference, 
but  he  read  the  smile  in  her  eyes  and  went  with  a  light 
quick  step  upon  his  errand. 

Gabrielle  had  dropped  into  the  vacant  seat  by  Lucette 
and  now  leant  back  thinking,  her  lips  slightly  parted 
and  her  eyes  dreamy. 

"  He  was  a  handsome  man,  coz,  this  cavalier  of 
yours  ?  "  Gabrielle  started  at  the  question  and  then  met 
her  friend's  half-quizzing  look  calmly. 

"  I  have  never  seen  a  nobler,  Lucette.  I  hope  our 
good  Denys  will  find  him.  Why  do  you  plague  that 
good  fellow  so  sorely  ?  " 

"  Nay,  it  is  he  plagues  me.  He  is  always  quarrel- 
ling." 

"  Yoii  are  always  finding  cause  to  make  him,  you 
mean  ?  " 

"  He  is  a  man,  and  must  be  kept  in  his  place ;  "  an(/ 
Lucette  shrugged  her  shoulders. 

"  By  bickering  and  teasing  and  wrangling?  Docs  it 
please  you  ?  " 

"  There  is  always  the  making  up  again ; "  and  Lucette 
laughed  roguishly. 

"  Beware  how  you  try  him  too  much.  He  is  sterling 
mettle."  She  paused  and  suppressed  a  sigh  as  she 
added :     "  How  happy  you  should  be !  " 


i8  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

Lucette  glanced  across  at  her  and  her  manner 
•changed. 

"  You  are  thinking  again,  Gabrielle.  You  are  not 
sad?" 

"  Yes,  I  was  thinking.    I  ought  not  to  be  sad,  to-da} 

of  all  days ;  and  yet "     The   rest  of  the  sentence 

was  an  unmistakable  sigh,  deep  and  sincere. 

*'  He  may  prove  a  gallant  cavalier,  Gabrielle,  your 
Gerard;  as  gallant  maybe  as  your  hero  of  the  market 
place.    Don't  look  like  that,  dear." 

"  I  am  afraid,  Lucette,  horribly  afraid.  You  cannot 
tell  how  it  is  with  me.  I  am  perhaps  overwrought  by 
this  terrible  scene  in  the  market  place,  and — oh,  I  know 
not  what  I  feel ;  "  and  with  a  shudder  she  covered  her 
face  with  her  hands. 

"  It  will  all  come  right,  dear,"  whispered  Lucette 
gently,  after  a  pause;  but  the  words  seemed  to  jar  upon 
Gabrielle,  who  lowered  her  hands,  and  with  a  look  of 
irritation  replied  almost  petulantly. 

"  You  judge  from  your  own  little  outlook.  You  tease 
Denys  and  force  a  sham  quarrel,  knowing  he  will  make 
it  up  and  all  will  come  right,  as  you  say.  But  how 
would  it  be  with  you  if  you  were  in  my  place,  given 
to  a  man  you  had  not  seen  since  you  were  a  child ;  be- 
trothed to  one  you  know  nothing  about,  and  who  may 
turn  out  to  be — oh,  what  am  I  saying  ?  " 

"  I  should  hate  him  before  he  came  to  claim  me, 
Gabrielle,"  said  Lucette  vigourously,  tearing  at  the  flax 
she  held  in  her  fingers.  "  Claim  me !  "  she  added,  in- 
censed by  her  own  word.  "  I  would  make  him  feel  that 
the  claiming  was  no  easy  task.  Oh,  I  should  hate  him! 
But  you  need  not  wed  him.  You  are  the  mistress  of 
Malincourt." 

"  You  do  not  understand,  Lucette."  The  girl  looked 
up  in  genuine  surprise  at  the  change  in  Gabrielle's  tone, 
suddenly  calm,  proud  and  cold.     "  It  is  my  duty  to  my 


MAISON    DE    MALINCOURT  19 

family.  My  parents  ordered  it  so,  and  it  is  not  for  me 
to  disobey.    I  owe  it  to  my  house." 

"  I  can't  understand  you,  Gabrielle.  At  one  moment 
you  are  a  girl  with  all  a  girl's  heart  and  feelings,  and 
the  next,  you  are  the  grand  dame,  cold,  passionless, 
proud — just  the  embodied  spirit  of  the  traditions  of 
your  house." 

"  Were  you  a  Malincourt  you  would  understand.  I 
have  to  live  my  life  and  must  perforce  be  content." 

"  But  pride  makes  an  ill  substitute  for  love  in  a  mar- 
riage, Gabrielle,  And  your  motive  is  pride.  If  this 
M.  Gerard  de  Cobalt,  this  distant  kinsman  and  unseen 
betrothed,  should  turn  out  to  be  a  hideous  depraved 
wretch " 

"  Peace,  Lucette ;  you  do  but  plague  me.  M.  de  Cobalt 
will  be  here  to-day  or  to-morrow ;  and  you  will  re- 
member he  is  my  affianced  husband." 

"  I  am  sorry  my  reckless  tongue  wounds  you,  Ga- 
brielle. I  love  you  so  dearly ;  "  and  Lucette  bent  across- 
and  kissed  her  tenderly.  "  Pray  God  it  may  all  be  well 
with  you.     Forgive  me." 

"  There  is  nothing  to  forgive,  dear,"  answered 
Gabrielle  sweetly.  "  You  are  right.  I  have  two  na- 
tures; and  if  the  girl  in  me  rebels  sometimes,  it  i& 
kinder  to  check  than  to  encourage  rebellion.  To-day, 
somehow,  it  is  harder  than  usual  to  check  it.  I  shall 
be  glad  when  M.  de  Cobalt  comes.  My  uncle  gives 
me  good  account  of  him,  and  speaks  joi  him  as  brave 
and  gallant." 

"  Does  M.  de  Proballe  know  him  ?  " 

"  No,  he  has  never  seen  him — at  least  not  for  many 
years;  but  he  has  heard  much  of  him,  and  from  what 
he  says  all  should  be  well." 

"  From  what  he  says,"  commented  Lucette,  with  a 
little  frown  of  disdain. 

"  You  trouble  me,  Lucette,  with  these  reflections  on 


^o  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

my  uncle.  You  do  not  like  him,  and  so  would  have 
me  share  your  feeling.  We'll  say  no  more ;  "  and  with 
a  sigh  she  leant  back  to  think. 

Lucette,  seeing  her  mood,  resumed  her  work  and  set 
her  wheel  speeding  busily  on ;  but  chancing  to  glance 
round  a  moment  later  she  stopped  abruptly  with  an 
exclamation  of  surprise  which  attracted  Gabrielle's 
attention. 

A  man  was  standing  close  behind  Gabrielle's  chair 
in  an  attitude  of  excessive  humility.  He  bowed  low 
and  spread  out  his  hands  as  she  turned  to  him,  while 
an  expressive  curl  of  contempt  drew  down  the  corners 
of  Lucette's  mouth. 

"  What  is  it  ?  Why  did  you  not  say  you  were 
here  ?  "  asked  Gabrielle  sharply. 

"  I  feared  to  interrupt  miladi,  and  was  awaiting  your 
permission  to  speak  my  errand."  His  voice  was  soft 
and  his  manner  deferential. 

"What  is  it?    Speak." 

"  My  master,  the  Baron  de  Proballe,  desires  to  know 
if  it  is  convenient  for  him  to  wait  upon  you,  miladi  ?  " 

"My  uncle?     Certainly.     Where  is  he?" 

*'  At  present  in  his  apartments,  miladi." 

"  Tell  him  I  will  see  him  at  once." 

"  I  am  miladi's  most  humble  servant,"  was  the  reply 
with  another  deep  bow,  as  he  went. 

"  What  a  loathsome  snake  is  that  Master  Dauban," 
exclaimed  Lucette,  looking  after  him. 

"  My  uncle  says  he  is  a  very  honest  fellow  and  as 
faithful  as  a  man  can  be." 

"  I  should  need  a  higher  character  than  that,"  said 
Lucette  with  another  very  expressive  shrug. 

"  The  Baron  de  Proballe  is  my  uncle,  Lucette,"  re- 
plied Gabrielle  in  a  tone  of  reproach,  as  she  rose  to  go 
into  the  house.  And  Lucette,  by  way  of  reply,  turned 
her  head  away  with  a  toss  and  made  a  grimace  to 
herself  as  she  bent  over  her  wheel. 


CHAPTER  III 

SINISTER   HINTS 

SCARCELY  had  Gabrielle  left  the  terrace  before 
Lucette's  wheel  stopped  and  she  began  to  think 
instead  of  work.  Little  frowns  and  smiles  chased 
each  other  alternately  across  her  dark  expressive  face, 
and  here  even  pearly  teeth  showed  ever  and  again  between 
the  full,  mobile  lips. 

"  Has  the  day's  adventure  changed  everything  ?  "  she 
mused.  "  He  seems  to  have  been  very  handsome,  this 
gallant  cavalier.  I  wonder.  It  would  be  a  hard  fight. 
I  know  how  her  pride  can  stand  like  a  fortress;  and  I 
know  how  love  can  pull  and  pull  and  pull.  Don't  I 
know  it  ?  "  and  she  smiled  and  sighed  in  turn.  "  Poor 
Gabrielle !  What  a  struggle !  Heart  whispers,  '  I  love 
him'  ;  pride  answers,  *  My  pledge  is  given.'  Ah  me ! 
he  will  have  to  be  a  manly  man,  as  she  says,  if  he  will 
win  her.  But  she  will  have  a  traitor  in  the  fortress 
after  all,  if  she  really  love  him.  Ah  me !  I  know  how 
it  would  end  with  me.  But  Gabrielle — well,  she  is 
Gabrielle." 

At  that  moment  a  frown  chased  away  the  smiles,  for 
Master  Dauban,  the  man  she  had  dubbed  a  snake,  came 
out  from  the  Maison  and  approached  her. 

He  was  one  of  those  creatures  on  whom  nature  sets 
the  outward  marks  of  his  inward  character.  His  whole 
appearance  and  manner  suggested  slyness  and  secre- 
tiveness.  His  light  brown  shifty  eyes  were  deep  set 
in  his  sallow  face,  his  cheeks  smooth  and  round,  and 


22  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

his  lips  thin  and  straight ;  while  his  voice,  unctuous  and 
oily,  and  his  glances,  always  quick  and  restlessly  furtive, 
TIG  less  than  the  fawning  gestures  of  his  hands  and  his 
soft  tread  proclaimed  him  a  born  spy.  At  least  so 
Lucette  thought,  and  she  hated  him  accordingly,  as  she 
hated  all  things  mean  and  base. 

But  his  feeling  for  her  was  very  far  removed  from 
hatred,  and  as  he  came  up  now  his  glance  was  full  of 
admiration. 

"  I  am  the  happiest  of  men  to  find  you  alone.  Mistress 
Lucette." 

"  I  am  not  the  happiest  of  women  to  find  you  any- 
where— near  me.  Master  Dauban,"  she  retorted. 

"You  are  as  cruel  to  me  as  you  are  beautiful." 

"  And  you  are  as  handsome  as  you  are  honest,"  she 
cried  with  a  shrug.     He  winced. 

"  Why  do  you  always  wrong  me  so?  " 

"  In  calling  you  honest,  you  mean  ?  " 

"  You  are  in  truth  a  sweet  rose.  Mistress  Lucette, 
"but  the  thorns  of  your  wit  are  sharp  and  draw  blood." 

"  They  are  meant  to  prevent  snails  and  slugs  from 
-crawling  too  near  me,  Master  Dauban." 

"  I  take  all  you  say  in  good  part." 

"  In  '  good  part.'  And  what  good  part  is  there  in 
you,  I  pray?    I  have  never  seen  it." 

"  I  can  be  a  firm  friend." 

"  To  yourself,  maybe." 

"  And  an  ugly  enemy,  too,  at  times." 

Lucette  looked  him  up  and  down,  and  her  lip  curled 
as  she  answered  with  almost  savage  contempt — 

"  Who  has  fallen  so  low  as  to  fear  you.  Master 
Dauban?  Have  you  been  trounced  by  some  scullion 
of  the  kitchen?  You  should  beware  how  you  offend 
any  one  with  hands  to  strike  with." 

"  It  is  easy  to  scoff,  mistress,"  he  returned  sullenly, 
stung  by  her  words. 


SINISTER    HINTS  ij 

"  Aye,  truly,  where  you  are  the  object.  If  you  da 
not  Hke  the  truth,  go  away;  you  came  of  your  own 
will  and  do  not  stay  by  mine.  In  truth,  Malincourt  would 
be  none  the  worse  for  your  going  altogether." 

"  I  have  a  strong  reason  for  wishing  to  stay.  You 
are  the  reason,"  he  said,  shooting  a  glance  at  her. 
"  Why  won't  you  let  me  be  your  friend?  " 

"  There  is  but  one  act  of  friendship  you  could  show 
to  me." 

"  What  is  it  ? "  he  asked  eagerly.  "  Try  me ;  try 
me. 

"  Put  a  hundred  leagues  between  us  and  never  lessen 
the  distance.  It  would  indeed  be  an  act  of  true  friend- 
ship if  you  would  never  let  my  eyes  rest  on  your  face 
again." 

"  That  is  a  hard  saying.  I  could  not  live  apart  from 
you,"  he  declared  with  much  earnestness. 

'*  I  see  no  reason  in  that  why  you  should  not  go 
away,"  she  laughed.  "  The  world  could  manage  to 
exist  without  you;  although  your  master  might  miss 
you." 

He  looked  at  her  cunningly. 

"  You  do  not  like  my  master,  I  fear,  Mistress 
Lucette." 

"  Ah,  has  he  set  you  to  find  out  what  I  think  of 
him?" 

"  I  could  tell  you  things,"  he  said  slyly,  lowering  his 
tone  and  glancing  about  him. 

She  paused  a  moment  and  her  eyes  questioned  him. 
She  checked  the  mocking  reply  which  was  on  her  lips, 
and  asked,  as  if  with  an  assumed  indifference,  covering 
real  curiosity — 

"  What  could  you  tell  me  ?  " 

"  I  have  eyes  to  see,  ears  to  hear,  and  I  know  what 
I  know  of  his  plans — and  you  would  like  to  know,  too.'^ 

Lucette  started   and   bent  her  head  over  her  wheel 


t24  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

that  her  face  might  not  be  seen  by  his  ferrety  eyes. 
She  resolved  to  get  it  from  him. 

"Bah!  Am  I  a  fool.  Master  Dauban,  that  you  would 
fill  my  ears  with  lies  about  a  good  man?  You  say 
truly,  the  Baron  de  Proballe  is  in  no  favour  of  mine, 
but  at  least  I  know  him  to  be  an  honest,  fair-speaking, 
straight-dealing  gentleman." 

The  man  laughed  unctuously,  as  from  the  enjoyable 
vantage  point  of  superior  knowledge. 

"  I  know  what  I  know,"  he  said  cunningly. 

"  You  know  no  ill  of  him,  and  I  will  hear  none.  He  is 
Mademoiselle  Gabrielle's  uncle  and  protecting  friend, 
and  a  good  man."  Lucette's  tone  was  full  of  reproach- 
ful indignation. 

"  Yes,  he  is  miladi's  uncle,  and  a  good  man."  He 
laughed  again  with  the  same  unctuous  suggestion  of 
intense  enjoyment.  "  And  all  you  people  here  in  Malin- 
court  are  so  sharp  and  clever — so  sharp  and  clever — 
as  clever  as  he  is  good." 

"  We  are  sharp  enough  to  know  an  honest  man  when 
we  see  him,  and  clever  enough  not  to  listen  to  the 
tales  of  a  maligner,  Master  Dauban,"  retorted  Lucette 
with  an  appearance  of  great  warmth.  Her  anger  so  de- 
lighted the  man  that  he  threw  himself  into  the  seat 
near  her  and  laughed  till  his  sides  shook. 

"  What  fools  women  are !  " 

"  They  are  a  match  for  a  man's  brilliant  wits  any 
time,"  cried  Lucette  very  sharply.  "  Go  away  and 
leave  me  in  peace." 

"  A  match  for  us !  ho,  ho !  a  match,"  he  laughed. 
Presently  he  grew  serious,  leaned  forward  and  said  in 
a  lone  tone :  **  You  love  miladi ;  you  think  my  master 
a  good  man,  eh?  What  would  you  give  to  know  what 
I  know?" 

"  I  wouldn't  know  all  the  wickedness  you  know  for 


SINISTER    HINTS  25 

a  duke's  ransom,"  declared  Lucette  sharply.  "  I  should 
have  to  hang  myself  if  I  did,  in  sheer  self-shame." 

"  Pouf !  women  are  worse  than  men ;  and  you're  no 
better  than  the  rest,  I'd  be  sworn.  But  you're  such  a 
pretty  spitfire  and  say  such  waspish  things;  that's  what 
I  like  in  you.  But  for  all  your  sharp  tongue  you  are 
as  blind  as  a  three-day  kitten,  and  can't  tell  milk  from 
vinegar  when  it's  under  your  very  nose.  You  can't 
even  smell  it ;  "  and  he  laughed  again. 

"  Better  a  blind  kitten  than  a  wideawake  rat  with  a 
keen  scent  for  garbage.  Master  Dauban,"  she  retorted 
with  a  shrug  of  her  shoulders. 

"  Rats  can  find  other  things  than  gfarbage.  Mistress 
Lucette.  Shall  I  ask  you  a  question  ?  "  He  paused,  and 
then  with  an  accent  of  great  cunning,  asked — "  Why 
do  you  think  my  good  master  is  so  interested  in  this 
marriage  of  miladi  with  M.  de  Cobalt?" 

Lucette  laughed  airily. 

"That's  easy  to  answer,  of  a  surety.  Because  he  is 
the  brother  of  Mistress  Gabrielle's  late  mother,  and  it 
is  a  family  afTair." 

"  There  mewed  the  blind  kitten,"  he  cried  with  an- 
other of  his  triumphant  laughs. 

"  And  there  squeaked  a  rat !  " 

"  Does  a  good  man  like  to  see  his  niece,  a  pure 
woman,  mated  with  a  scoundrel?  Does  he  work  and 
scheme  and  strive  and  plot  to  force  it  on?  Answer  me 
that,  kitten." 

"Does  even  a  rat  seek  to  bite  the  hand  that  feeds 
it  ?     Answer  me  that,  rat." 

"  Feeds  it  ?  Out  on  such  feeding,"  he  cried  with  sud- 
den malevolence.  "  Uses  it,  fools  it,  kicks  it,  and  throws 
a  few  husks  to  it,  keeping  all  the  grain  for  himself. 
I  know  what  I  know,  I  tell  you.  And  you  should 
know  it  too  if  you — but  never  mind.  Go  on  with  your 
mewing,   and   when  your  gay   gallant  comes,  set   him 


26  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

on  another  pedestal  as  high  as  my  noble  master's  and 
fawn  on  him." 

*'  What  grudge  have  you  against  M.  de  Cobalt  that 
you  would  set  us  against  him  ?  " 

"  Grudge  ?  I  have  no  grudge.  I  have  never  even 
set  eyes  on  him.  But  I  know  what  I  know.  And  when 
your  eyes  get  opened,  remember  to-day." 

**  And  why  should  a  rat  squeak  against  a  man  he 
has  never  seen  ?  " 

But  he  was  quick  to  discern  the  earnestness  which 
Lucette  allowed  to  appear  in  her  tone;  and  he  got  up 
and  smiled  cunningly. 

,     "  I  am  not  a  w^ell  to  be  emptied  by  a  woman's  bucket. 
Mistress  Lucette.    You  will  see,  some  day." 

"  I  don't  believe  a  word  you've  said,"  she  replied 
with  a  shrug  of  indifference. 

"  I  could  say  much  more  if "  he  paused. 

"If  what?" 

He  leered  at  her  cunningly,  and  bending  down  close 
to  her  shoulder,  whispered — 

"  If  you'd  give  me  such  a  kiss  as  I  saw  you  give 
Antoine  de  Cavannes  in  the  wood  yonder  when  Denys 
St.  Jean  was  at  Courtal.  '  Splay-footed  Antoine,'  as 
you  called  him  to-day." 

Lucette  flushed  with  anger  and  vexation,  genuine 
enough  now,  and  a  passionate  retort  rose  to  her  lips, 
but  did  not  pass  them.  She  had  to  fight  down  her 
anger  in  a  pause  which  he  mistook  for  confusion, 

"  You  have  indeed  both  eyes  and  ears.  Master 
Dauban,"  she  answered  with  a  quick  glance  of  coquetry. 
"  But  you  will  not  tell  on  me?  "  she  added,  as  if  in  dis- 
may and  fear  of  him. 

**  I  may,"  he  replied,  enjoying  her  fear. 

"  You  must  not.  You  must  not."  Her  accents  were 
tliose  of  quick  alarm. 

'*  Do  you  love  either  of  them  ?  " 


SINISTER   HINTS  ay 

"  A  poor  girl  must  have  friends." 

"  Yet  you  would  drive  me  away." 

"  Ah,  Master  Dauban,  do  you  believe  all  a  poor  g^rl 
says  ?  "  and  slie  sighed  and  cast  a  languishing  look  on 
him. 

"  You  hate  me  and  wish  never  to  see  me  again.  You 
said  so." 

"  Must  every  maiden  wear  her  heart  on  her  sleeve, 
Master  Dauban,  for  you  handsome  gallants  to  trifle 
with  ?  " 

"  My  name  is  Jacques,  by  your  leave." 

"  'Tis  the  sweetest  of  names ;  "  and  Lucette  sighed 
and  looked  down ;  then  started  and  dashed  a  look  at 
him  and  cried  as  if  in  distress — "  Go  away.  Master 
Dauban.  You  make  me  so — oh,  I  don't  know  how  to 
say  it.  I  feel — oh,  do  go  away.  You  make  me  feel  so 
serious  and  so — so  sad.     Ah  me !  " 

"  You  say  those  things  to  Denys  and  Antoine — and 
others." 

For  answer  Lucette  fixed  her  eyes  upon  him  re- 
proachfully and  then  sighed  again;  and  her  eyes  could 
speak  in  a  language  few  men  could  read  unmoved. 

"  I  knew  you  were  cruel,  but — oh,  do  leave  me." 

His  hand  sought  hers.  She  let  him  take  it  and  re- 
turned the  pressure  of  his  fingers,  which  trembled. 

"  You  have  never  met  me  in  the  wood,  Lucette,"  he 
whispered. 

"  You  have  never  asked  me,  Jacques.  I  never 
thought "  and  she  faltered  and  broke  down. 

"  Be  there  at  set  of  sun  this  evening." 

"  No,  no,  I  could  not ;  I  dare  not.  I  could  never  do 
that — but  I  often  walk  there — ^Jacques." 

"  And  this  evening  ?  "  He  was  trembling  again  in 
his  eagerness. 

Her  eyes  said  yes,  the  pressure  of  her  tell-tale  fingers 
confirmed  it,  and  the  sigh  she  gave  sent  him  into  an 
ecstasy. 


2%  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  I  believe  you  do  but  play  with  poor  me,"  she 
whispered. 

"  I  swear  on  my  soul  I  am  in  earnest.  I  love  you, 
Lucette,  I " 

"  Hush,  not  now,  not  now ;  "  and  she  snatched  her 
hand  quickly  from  him  as  if  in  great  confusion  and 
picked  up  her  spinning  wheel.  "I  shall  count  the 
minutes  till  the  sun  sets — noiv,  Jacques,"  she  cried  vvith 
a  bright  laughing  smile,  and  passed  into  the  house. 

"  Blind  kittens  are  we,  Master  Rat  ? "  she  said  to 
herself  as  she  went  to  her  apartment.  "  If  I  do  not 
know  all  you  have  to  tell  me  of  this  villainy  against 
Gabrielle  before  the  dusk  is  dark,  may  I  never  know  a 
rogue  when  I  see  one."  And  then  her  fears  on  Gabri- 
elle's  account  having  been  excited,  her  quick  wits 
busied  themselves  with  all  manner  of  fanciful  conjectures 
as  to  what  the  vaguely  shadowed  danger  could  be ; 
and  her  impatience  could  scarce  be  held  in  check  until 
the  time  arrived  for  her  meeting  with  Dauban. 

Meanwhile  the  interview  between  Gabrielle  and  her 
uncle  had  taken  place  and  he  had  brought  her  news 
which  for  the  moment  had  both  deeply  interested  and 
greatly  excited  her. 

The  Baron  de  Proballe  was  a  man  whose  aim  in  life 
had  been  to  fill  to  the  brim  the  cup  of  self-indulgent 
pleasures.  Handsome,  rich,  unscrupulous  and  talented, 
he  was  endowed  with  most  of  the  vices  except 
cowardice,  and  while  yet  a  young  man  he  had  soon  made 
himself  a  reputation  as  a  profligate  among  profligates 
until  his  excesses  had  ruined  him.  His  fortune  de- 
clined as  his  reputation  grew,  and  for  some  years  he 
had  been  driven  to  live  upon  his  wits,  which  meant 
trading  upon  his  skill  as  a  gambler  until  a  particularly 
disgraceful  scandal  had  driven  him  from  Pari^.  bank- 
rupt in  pocket  and  much  broken  in  health,  to  seek  refuge 
with  his  younp;  kinswoman  at  Morvaix. 


SINISTER    HINTS  ag 

There  his  evil  fame  was  unknown,  and  Gabrielle  had 
welcomed  him  for  her  dead  mother's  sake;  and  in  the 
small  provincial  city  he  had  passed  two  hateful  years, 
brooding  upon  the  pleasures  which  were  now  denied 
to  him  and  devising  means  to  rehabilitate  his  shattered 
fortunes  and  recover  some  of  his  lost  health. 

Outwardly  he  had  hitherto  shown  himself  a  model 
of  a  courteous  gentleman  and  had  lived  almost  an  ex- 
emplary life  in  Morvaix,  having  put  away  from  him 
with  iron  firmness  the  dissolute  habits  and  evil  practices 
of  the  old  life  in  Paris.  The  desire  for  them  burnt  as 
strongly  as  ever  in  his  blood,  and  his  sole  object  in  re- 
sisting it  so  strenuously  was  the  hope  of  regaining  such 
health,  fortune  and  position  as  would  enable  him  once 
more  to  indulge  them  freely. 

But  there  was  a  flaw  in  his  plans  which  threatened 
to  ruin  everything.  He  had  ingratiated  himself  with 
the  Governor,  and  the  Duke,  as  keen  a  gambler  as 
de  Proballe  himself,  had  won  very  heavy  sums  of  money 
which  could  not  be  paid;  and  he  had  in  this  way  ob- 
tained a  hold  over  him  which  threatened  to  have  critical 
consequences  to  all  concerned. 

The  Duke  had  acted  with  deliberate  intention.  A  man 
of  reckless  life  and  licentious  nature,  he  had  been 
fascinated  by  Gabrielle  de  Malincourt's  beauty,  and  he 
had  formed  a  scheme  in  regard  to  her  which  made  her 
uncle's  assistance  of  the  utmost  value  and  consequence. 

De  Proballe  himself,  despite  his  evil  past  and  seared 
conscience,  had  at  first  refused  indignantly  to  have  any 
hand  in  the  vile  matter;  but  the  Governor,  never  nice 
in  his  methods,  had  found  means  to  over-ride  this 
opposition ;  and  then  de  Proballe  sought  to  justify  his 
act  to  himself  by  forming  a  counter-scheme  against  the 
Governor. 

To  further  the  plan,  Gabrielle's  uncle  had  concocted 
the  story  and   fabricated   the  proofs   supporting  it,   of 


30  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

her  parents'  wish  that  she  should  marry  a  distant  kins- 
man, Gerard  de  Cobalt,  a  young  reprobate  whose  life 
had  been  if  anything  more  disgraceful  than  that  of  de 
Proballe  himself.  His  culminating  act  of  villainy  had 
been  the  treacherous  murder  of  a  friend  at  Cai«brai,  a 
town  within  the  Governor's  province,  and  for  this  he 
was  a  fugitive  from  justice.  De  Cobalt's  reward  for 
his  part  in  the  infamous  scheme  was  to  be  a  pardon  for 
the  affair  at  Cambrai ;  and  he  was  to  come  to  Morvaix 
and  marry  Gabrielle  to  provide  a  complacent  cloak  for 
the  Governor's  scheme. 

Gabrielle,  suspecting  nothing  of  the  intrigue  which 
was  in  progress  about  her,  and  deceived  by  her  uncle's 
consistently  considerate  and  courteous  demeanour  to 
herself,  had  grown  both  to  trust  and  like  him,  and  met 
him  now  with  a  smile. 

He  noticed  her  disquiet  and  remarked  on  her  troubled 
looks. 

"  It  was  the  scene  in  the  market  place,"  she  said,  and 
told  him  what  had  occurred. 

"  I  was  there  and  saw  it  all,  Gabrielle.  I  fear  Babillon 
brought  it  upon  himself.  We  live  in  troubled  times, 
child,  and  authority  must  be  maintained.  The  Duke  is 
hasty  in  temper,  and  he  thought,  I  am  sure,  as  did  I  and 
others,  that  the  smith  meant  to  attack  him.  It  is  only 
in  the  first  moments  of  an  outbreak  that  it  can  be  quelled ; 
had  this  gone  further  much  more  blood  than  the  smith's 
would  have  been  shed.    Remember  that." 

"  He  was  but  protesting,"  said  Gabrielle. 

"  He  nearly  killed  two  of  the  soldiery  with  his  pro- 
test, child." 

"  Not  until  they  were  ordered  to  attack  him." 

"  Who  raises  his  hand  in  violence  must  look  for 
violence  in  return.  I  am  not  defending  the  act.  Had 
I  been  Governor  I  would  have  listened  first  and  pun- 
ished afterwards,  but  that  is  not  de  Rochelle's  method." 


SINISTER    HINTS  31 

"  It  was  a  foul  murder,  and  I  care  not  who  hears 
rje  say  it,"  exclaimed  Gabrielle  vehemently.  "  And  this 
infamous  tax  caused  it." 

"  It  is  about  that  I  have  news  for  you.  The  Duke 
is  considering  your  request  to  him  and  will  wait  upon 
you  here  at  Malincourt,  to-morrow.  He  is  a  staunch 
friend  to  you,  Gabrielle,  and  your  lightest  word  has 
weight  with  him." 

"  He  should  need  no  one's  word  to  induce  him  to  do 
justly,"  she  said.  "  He  grinds  the  face  of  the  people 
with  his  hideous  tyranny." 

"  You  have  this  influence  with  him  and  can  best 
use  it  in  the  people's  cause.  That  is  a  g^eat  thought  for 
you  to  ponder.  You  will  not  do  best  for  them  by  in- 
censing it,  but  rather  by  leading  him  to  see  these  things 
as  you  see  them."  He  watched  her  very  closely  as  he 
said  this  in  his  gentlest  and  most  persuasive  tone. 

"  But  I  despise  him,"  she  said  with  a  shudder.  "  I 
loathe  him,  indeed." 

'*  In  this  world  we  cannot  choose  the  means  we  would, 
but  must  use  those  which  lie  to  our  hands.  Yours  is 
a  heavy  load  of  responsibility  for  such  young  shoulders 
to  bear,  my  child.  The  head  of  a  great  house,  alone 
with  none  to  advise  save  an  unworthy  old  man  who  has 
wearied  of  the  affairs  of  the  world,  and  with  the  cares 
of  an  army  of  suffering  people  to  plague  and  oppress 
you.  Let  us  hope  that  your  marriage  will  prove  the 
relief  it  should.  Gerard  de  Cobalt  should  be  here  to-day 
or  to-morrow.  Pray  Heaven  he  carries  a  steady  head 
on  worthy  shoulders — as  indeed  I  hear  he  does." 

Gabrielle  sighed  and  lifted  and  let  fall  her  hand ;  a 
half-despairing  gesture  suggestive  of  her  distracted 
thoughts. 

"  You  should  be  all  smiles.  Gabrielle.  My  dear  sis- 
ter, your  mother,  and  your  father,  too,  built  so  much 
upon  this  marriage.     The  Governor  also  is  profoundly 


32  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

interested  in  it,  and  will  welcome  your  husband  and 
give  him  an  honoured  place  in  his  favour  and  esteem. 
You  two  are  destined  to  do  great  things  for  Morvaix," 

"  Please  God  it  may  be  so,"  returned  Gabrielle  earn- 
estly.   "  But  to  take  a  husband  I  have  never  seen  is " 

The  sentence  ended  in  another  gesture  as  hopeless  as  the 
first. 

"  I  have  made  many  searching  inquiries  concerning 
him,  Gabrielle.  A  handsome  gallant  and  as  brave  and 
fearless  as  comely." 

"  It  may  be  for  the  best,"  she  said  lifelessly. 

"  It  must  and  will  be  for  the  best,"  he  returned.  "  To- 
morrow you  will  hear  from  the  Duke  how  he  proposes 
to  honour  the  man  of  your  choice." 

"  Choice  ?  "  echoed  Gabrielle,  catching  at  the  word. 

"  Yes,  choice ;  what  else  ?  Whom  else  in  Morvaix 
would  you  choose?  You  would  not  choose  to  disobey 
your  dear  mother's  last  earthly  wish.  And  the  obliga- 
tions of  a  girl  placed  as  you  are  at  the  head  of  a  house 
such  as  ours  might  well  have  compelled  a  marriage 
with  a  far  less  welcome  groom.  I  could  tell  you  of 
scores  of  such  ill-fated  unions.  Keep  a  light  heart, 
child ;  for  you  may  face  the  future  fearlessly — a  brilliant 
future  too." 

"  I  am  foolish  and  rebellious  at  times,  I  know.  But 
I  am  not  unmindful  of  my  duty  to  my  house,"  she  said 
proudly. 

"  Spoken  like  a  Malincourt ;  like  my  sainted  sister's 
own  child.  Keep  that  face  for  the  Governor  to-morrow, 
Gabrielle.  Smile  to  him  and  upon  him,  and  the  rule 
of  Morvaix  and  all  in  it  will  be  inspired  by  your  gentle 
heart." 

And  with  that  thought  he  deemed  it  judicious  to  end 
the  interview. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE   duke's   proposal 

THERE  was  one  very  bitter  heart  in  the  maison 
on  the  following  morning.  Jacques  Dauban  had 
spent  a  bad  night,  groaning  over  aching  bones 
and  head,  brooding  over  his  wrongs  and  setting  his 
cunning  wits  to  work  to  devise  a  scheme  of  revenge. 

Very  ill  results  had  followed  that  meeting  with  Lu- 
cette  in  the  pine  walk.  She  had  kept  the  tryst  and  had 
wheedled  out  of  him  a  part  of  what  he  knew.  He  had 
not  told  her  much ;  only  warned  her  to  do  her  utmost 
to  prevent  the  marriage  between  Gabrielle  and  Gerard 
de  Cobalt,  hinting  at  dark  deeds  of  which  he  dared  not 
speak,  and  denouncing  Gerard  as  both  an  unscrupulous 
scoundrel  and  a  tool  in  the  hands  of  others  greater  and 
more  villainous  even  than  he. 

She  might  have  got  more  from  him,  but  it  chanced 
that  Denys  St.  Jean  had  also  conceived  a  fancy  for  a 
stroll  in  the  wood,  and  had  come  suddenly  upon  the 
pair  in  close  and  intimate  talk.  His  quick  temper  had 
fired  instantly,  and  the  consequences  to  Jacques  Dauban 
had  been  serious.  Denys  was  strong  in  the  arm,  and  his 
cudgel,  snatched  hastily  from  a  tree,  thick  and  heavy ; 
and  there  was  scarcely  a  bone  in  the  writhing,  wriggling 
spy's  body  which  did  not  ache  and  stab  and  pain. 

And  Lucette  had  laughed. 

The  laugh  was  the  worst  of  all.  It  was  in  his  ears 
all  through  the  paining  hours  of  the  night ;  maddening 
him,  taunting  him,  and  goading  him  almost  to  a  frenzy 
of  wrath  and  spite.  He  read  it  as  the  proof  that  she 
had  fooled  him ;  that  she  had  laid  the  trap  to  bring  the 

33 


34  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

hot-headed  devil  upon  him;  and  had  planned  his 
humiliation  and  beating. 

He  would  be  revenged ;  and  as  he  twisted  and  turned 
and  groaned  in  an  anguish  of  mind  even  more  than  of 
body,  a  scheme  came  to  him ;  and  in  the  congenial  task 
of  working  it  out  and  maturing  it,  his  own  sufferings 
were  more  than  half  forgotten. 

His  first  thought  had  been  to  lay  in  wait  for  Denys 
and,  catching  him  unawares,  to  thrust  a  dagger  between 
his  ribs  swiftly  from  behind ;  but  there  was  too  much 
risk.  He  might  fail  to  strike  true,  and  then — the  hor- 
rible fear  of  what  would  happen  to  himself  in  such  a 
case  killed  the  plan  at  once. 

The  next  thought  was  to  hire  some  one  in  Morvaix 
to  do  what  he  with  his  own  hand  was  afraid  to  attempt, 
but  his  cunning  made  him  hesitate  to  place  himself  in 
any  other's  power.  And  so  that  idea  had  in  its  turn  to 
be  abandoned. 

But  out  of  it  had  come  the  scheme  which  he  saw  was 
at  once  safe  and  sure.  He  would  remain  in  the  back- 
ground all  unsuspected  even  by  Lucette,  and  might 
mask  his  work  in  any  way  he  wished ;  and  yet  Denys 
would  die  as  surely  as  if  his  was  the  hand  which  plunged 
the  dagger  home  to  his  heart.    Aye,  much  more  surely. 

He  would  tell  the  Baron  de  Proballe  that  Denys  had 
in  some  way  got  scent  of  the  scheme  which  had  been 
laid  against  Gabrielle  and  that  he  meant  to  divulge  it 
to  her. 

He  had  some  ground  to  believe  this,  moreover.  Earlier 
in  the  day  Denys  had  put  some  searching  questions  to 
him,  had  hinted  at  ugly  rumours,  and  asked  signifi- 
cantly about  strange  letters  which  had  passed  between 
de  Cobalt  and  his  master.  And  Dauban  knew  the  latter 
well  enough  to  be  sure  what  would  happen.  The  Baron 
would  tell  the  Duke,  and  the  tiger  of  a  Governor  would 
iind  means  to  silence  Denys  for  ever. 


THE    DUKE'S    PROPOSAL  3  s 

And  when  Denys  was  dead,  he  would  tell  Lucette 
that  it  was  his  hand  that  secretly  had  killed  him;  and 
that  mocking-  laugh  of  hers  would  change  to  a  gasp  of 
fear  of  him.  That  would  be  something  like  a  revenge, 
and  he  gloated  in  fancy  over  the  picture  of  Lucette's  fear- 
stricken  face  when  she  knew. 

"  Let  her  laugh  then,  if  she  can*,"  he  said  to  himself ; 
and  when  the  hour  came  for  him  to  go  to  his  master,  he 
had  his  tale  ready  and  told  it  artfully  with  a  hundred 
touches  which  all  calculated  to  appeal  to  de  Proballe's 
imagination  and  spur  his  alarm. 

"  How  know  you  this,  Jacques  ?  "  asked  de  Proballc,. 
when  he  had  heard  the  news. 

"  I  overheard  him  last  night  speaking  to  Mademoiselle 
Lucette  and  saying  he  had  grave  news  which  he  must 
tell  milad:  at  once  about  M.  de  Cobalt." 

"  That  may  not  mean  what  you  say." 

"  I  fear  that  it  did,  m'sieu.  The  two  are  lovers,  it 
seems,  and  like  a  woman  she  was  trying  to  wheedle  the 
facts  out  of  him.  He  was  loath  to  tell  her  and  sought 
to  put  her  off ;  but  she  got  something  from  him.  He  said 
M.  de  Cobalt  was  a  scoundrel — he  has  a  scurrilous  tongue 
this  Denys — and,  saving  your  presence,  m'sieu,  he  said 
that  de  Cobalt  was  but  a  tool  in  the  hands  of  greater 
scoundrels.  Shamed  I  am  that  my  lips  should  have  to 
speak  the  words,  but  your  lordship  must  know  the  truth 
— he  named  you  and  His  Grace  the  Duke  de  Rochelle." 

"  In  the  devil's  name,  this  is  serious  then,"  exclaimed 
de  Proballe  angrily.    "  How  much  does  he  know  ?  " 

"  Indeed,  m'sieu,  I  cannot  say.  He  hinted  at  an  in- 
tercepted letter,  but  he  was  called  away  soon.  I  can 
only  infer  he  has  made  an  important  discovery.  But  the 
girl  was  terribly  alarmed." 

"  It  may  ruin  everything.  Have  you  breathed  a  whis- 
per to  a  soul  ?  " 

"  Have  I  served  you  all  these  years  to  betray  you  ?  " 


36  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

and  he  spread  his  hands  out  and  spoke  as  if  in  sorrow 
that  such  a  suspicion  should  even  be  named.  "  That  she 
suspects  something  I  know  to  be  true  indeed." 

"  Tell  me.    Quick,  Jacques,  I  am  uneasy." 

"  Purposefully  I  put  myself  in  her  way,  m'sieu.  She  is 
a  pretty  girl  enough  and  thinks,  forsooth,  that  all  men 
can  be  wheedled  by  her  glances.  She  led  round  artfully 
to  the  subject  and  plied  me  with  questions,  all  inspired, 
as  I  could  see,  by  what  this  Denys  had  told  her.  She 
did  not  find  me  easy  to  draw,  m'sieu,"  and  he  smiled  with 
deprecating  reference  to  his  secrecy.  "  But  'twas  easy 
to  see  what  was  in  her  thoughts." 

"  She  may  also  be  a  source  of  danger.  She  may  tell 
Gabrielle,"  exclaimed  de  Proballe  quickly.  "  By  Heaven ; 
the  thing  must  be  stopped." 

But  it  was  not  Dauban's  wish  to  have  Lucette  harmed, 
so  he  made  haste  to  check  this  thought. 

"  Of  herself  she  knows  nothing,  m'sieu ;  all  hangs  on 
the  man's  story,  and  if  both  of  them  were  removed  from 
Malincourt,  might  not  miladi  herself  take  fright?" 

'*  A  shrewd  thought,  Jacques.  We  must  deal  with  the 
man  alone.  Do  you  think  he  can  have  seen  my  niece 
yet  ?  " 

"  No,  m'sieu,  I  am  sure.  I  watched  him  closely.  But 
this  morning  he  may  seek  her — nay,  he  will  do  so.  He 
said  as  much." 

"  He  must  not,"  exclaimed  de  Proballe  earnestly.  "  At 
any  cost  that  must  be  prevented." 

"  It  will  be  difficult,  m'sieu,  but  should  not  be  im- 
possible." 

"  You  have  a  thought,  I  see.    Speak  it." 

"  It  is  not  for  me  to  offer  counsel  to  you,  m'sieu.  But 
yesterday  there  was  a  cavalier  who  afforded  some  as- 
sistance to  miladi  in  the  market  place.  She  is  anxious  to 
^nd  him,  and  sent  this  Denys  yesterday  in  search  of  him. 
If  you  could  have  knowledge  that  the  stranger  was  to 


THE    DUKE'S    PROPOSAL  37 

be  found,  say  at  some  place  a  few  leagues  away,  it 
might  be  possible  to  despatch  Denys  thither  in  quest  of 
him,  and  thus  enable  time  and  perchance  provide  means 
and  opportunity  to  deal  with  him.  Miladi  would  appre- 
ciate any  effort  to  find  the  cavalier,  and  some  of  the 
roads  around  Morvaix  are  not  over-safe." 

"  You  have  a  cunning  brain,  Jacques,"  exclaimed  de 
Proballe  suddenly,  with  a  sharp  glance  at  his  secretary. 
"  Have  you  aught  against  this  Denys  ?  " 

Dauban  did  not  shrink  from  the  scrutiny,  but  answered 
deferentially — 

"  If  my  lord  thinks  I  should  place  my  feelings  before 
my  duty  to  him,  I  have  served  him  uselessly  all  these 
years." 

"  I  don't  think  it,  Jacques.  You  too  well  know  on 
which  side  your  interest  lies,  and  you  know  also  that  I 
should  not  be  a  pleasant  man  to  betray." 

"  I  am  naught  if  not  your  faithful  servant,  my  lord," 
replied  Dauban.  He  knew  he  had  said  enough  for  his 
purpose  and  that  his  master  would  adopt  the  suggestion 
he  had  let  fall.  The  seed  he  had  sown  would  bear  fruit ; 
and  he  was  astute  enough  not  to  appear  too  anxious  and 
thus  reveal  his  personal  feelings. 

His  plan  was  carried  out.  De  Proballe  sent  for  Denys, 
and  after  inquiring  about  the  guest  of  the  previous  day 
he  said  he  had  news  that  the  cavalier  could  be  found  at 
Beaucamp,  an  estate  some  four  leagues  west  of  Mor- 
vaix. He  expressed  his  desire  to  please  and  surprise 
Gabrielle  by  finding  the  stranger,  and  also  spoke  feel- 
ingly about  the  honour  of  the  family  being  concerned  to 
thank  the  stranger  for  the  service  rendered  to  its  young 
head,  and  thus  despatched  Denys  on  the  mission  before 
he  could  get  a  word  with  Gabrielle. 

As  .soon  as  he  had  seen  him  start,  he  hurried  with  his 
news  to  the  castle,  had  an  earnest  interview  with  the 
Duke,  and  returned  to  Malincourt  without  Gabrielle  even. 


38  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

knowing  of  his  absence.  Thus  the  train  was  all  laid 
when  at  noon  the  Governor,  in  accordance  with  the  ar- 
rangement of  the  previous  day,  came  to  wait  upon  Gabri- 
elle! 

"  You  have  made  all  arrangements ?  "  w-as  de  Proballe's 
greeting  when  they  met  for  a  moment  and  were  going 
to  Gabrielle. 

"  I  am  not  likely  to  fail,  m'sieu,"  was  the  drily-spoken 
reply.  "  Antoine  de  Cavannes  and  Henri  d'Estelle  have 
ridden  out,  and  know  me  better  than  to  return  with  any 
mission  unfulfilled.  My  men  serve  me  well  or  do  not 
serve  me  long." 

The  next  minute  he  was  bowing  over  Gabrielle's  hand, 
which  he  would  have  carried  to  his  lips  had  she  not 
adroitly  and  with  unseeming  intention  prevented  him. 

"  The  sun  never  shines  for  me,  mademoiselle,  when  I 
have  no  chance  to  look  into  your  eyes,"  he  murmured, 
with  glances  of  bold,  almost  aggressive  admiration. 

Words  and  glance  were  alike  detestable  to  Gabrielle. 

"  Your  lordship  is  pleased  to  flatter,  but  flattery  does 
not  please  me,"  she  returned  with  a  smile. 

"  It  is  no  flattery,  but  the  truth,"  he  protested,  his 
hand  on  his  heart.  "  Your  beauty  is  the  fairest  thing 
the  earth  holds  for  me." 

"  The  good  opinion  of  the  husband  of  my  dear  friend, 
the  Duchess  de  Rochelle,  must  of  course  be  ever  wel- 
come, but  I  beg  you  to  burden  it  with  less  wealth  of 
language." 

At  the  reference  to  his  wife  the  Duke  frowned,  as 
h^  took  a  seat  near  her. 

"  We  see  too  little  of  you,  mademoiselle,"  he  said  next, 
"  and  rumour  says  you  are  often  to  be  found  in  many 
of  the  humble  houses  in  Morvaix." 

"  Alas !  my  lord,  there  is  much  distress  and  poverty 
among  the  people,  and  Holy  Church  requires  that  those 
who  can  should  minister  to  them." 


THE    DUKE'S    PROPOSAL  39< 

"  Holy  Church  should  do  the  work  more  thoroughly. 
I  hold  not  with  this  constant  tending  and  pampering  of 
those  whose  chief  employment  seems  to  be  to  breed  dis- 
content." 

"They  have  unhappily  but  too  much  cause  for  discon- 
tent," said  Gabrielle  firmly.  "  You  have  considered  the 
petition  which  I  ventured  to  send  to  you  ?  " 

He  smiled  indulgently. 

"  What  do  you  know  of  these  things  ?  " 

"  My  own  eyes  have  seen  their  distress,  their  want, 
their  sufferings.  Men  workless  and  despairing,  women 
hopeless  and  languishing,  children  starving  and  crying 
for  the  food  which  the  parents  cannot  give  them.  We 
who  are  rich  and  have  plenty  can  but  scantily  measure 
the  pain  of  those  in  want.  Even  when  we  see  it  for  our- 
selves we  cannot  realize  all  its  misery ;  and  those  of  us 
who  never  see  it  cannot  even  believe  in  its  existence." 

"  Would  you  have  me  don  a  monk's  garb,  then,  and 
turn  bread  carrier  to  a  set  of  worthless  wastrels  ?  "  asked 
the  Governor  half  in  anger,  half  in  sardonic  humour. 

"  Nay,  my  lord,  it  is  in  no  such  spirit  I  would  ap- 
proach you.  But  you  have  the  power  to  administer  relief 
which  all  others  lack.  I  would  but  have  you  recognize 
the  evil  and  apply  the  remedy." 

"  You  make  a  beautiful  advocate.  Mistress  Gabrielle, 
and  you,  if  anyone,  can  work  your  will  with  me.  I 
would  gladly  see  these  things  with  your  eyes — to  please 
you,"  he  said  with  a  meaning  glance. 

"  I  am  but  of  small  account,  and  to  please  me  is  a  very 
little  thing,  and  at  best  a  poor  motive  for  doing  right." 

"  It  would  be  my  only  motive,  poor  or  rich.  But  I  fenr 
you  understand  the  art  of  government  but  ill.  We  must 
have  money  to  administer  the  town.  W^e  must  have 
troops,  and  troops  must  be  paid  and  fed,  fair  advocate." 

"  Why  ?    Is  force  in  the  hand  of  the  ruler  a  surer 


40  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

foundation  of  rule  than  content  and  prosperity  among 
the  ruled?" 

"  The  world  cannot  wag  without  soldiers,  mademois- 
elle, and  Morvaix  can  only  be  ruled  by  force." 

"  Must  a  populace  be  starved  that  the  soldiers  may 
be  fat?  If  I  seem  to  speak  boldly,  it  is  because  I  feel 
deeply.  And  if  I  offend,  I  crave  your  pardon,  mon- 
sieur." 

"  Nothing  you  could  say  or  do  could  ever  offend  me, 
Mademoiselle  Gabrielle.  With  you  I  am  as  clay  in  the 
hands  of  the  potter." 

"  Nay,  if  you  put  it  merely  on  grounds  personal  to 
myself,  I  can  urge  nothing,"  said  Gabrielle,  sadly  and 
reluctantly. 

"  Yet  they  are  the  only  grounds  that  will  prevail  with 
me,"  he  answered.  "  The  lot  of  these  people  is  much  to 
you,  you  say ;  then  you  would  of  a  surety  make  sacri- 
fices to  help  them?    Is  it  not  so?  " 

"  I  would  do  anything  in  my  power,"  she  said  warmly. 

"  That  remains  to  be  proved,"  he  retorted,  smiling  as 
he  looked  searchingly  at  her.  "  Perhaps  I  may  take 
that  as  a  challenge  and  put  you  to  a  test.  Your  petition 
here" — he  drew  it  out  and  opened  it.  "  You  urge  me 
to  recall  this  last  ordinance  of  mine  and  take  off  the  new 
imposts  on  food." 

"  The  people  will  starve  if  you  do  not,  monsieur." 

"  Well,  let  them  starve,  then.  I  must  have  money,  and 
money  can  only  be  raised  by  such  means.  But  if  I  were 
to  grant  you  this  favour,  make  this  sacrifice  for  you, 
what  sacrifice  would  you  make  in  your  turn,  what  favour 
would  you  grant  me  ?  " 

His  eyes  were  glowing  as  he  turned  them  upon  her 
while  waiting  for  her  reply, 

"  I  do  not  understand  your  lordship,"  said  Gabrielle, 
meeting  his  glance  with  her  calm  innocent  gaze. 


THE    DUKE'S    PROPOSAL  41 

**  Or  is  it  that  you  will  not?"  he  asked  insolently. 
"  Supposing  I  agree  that  your  influence  shall  prevail 
with  me  and  that  in  the  government  of  Morvaix  you  and 
I  shall  act  together:  you  inspiring  with  your  lofty  mo- 
tives, I  executing  with  the  powers  at  my  command.  If 
we  try  it  for  a  year,  two  years,  three  years — any  time 
you  like  to  fix — what  would  be  my  reward  ?  " 

"  The  rich  gratitude  of  a  contented  people,  the  re- 
spect of  every  man  in  Morvaix ;  hope  in  place  of  despair, 
prosperity  instead  of  want,  love  where  fear  now  lurks." 

"  Pshaw !  I  do  not  seek  the  love  of  such  canaille,  a 
mouthing  mob  as  ready  to  shout  *  Crucify '  as  '  Hos- 
anna ! '    What  reward  would  you  yourself  grant  ?  " 

"  I  should  for  ever  bless  and  admire  you." 

"  For  ever  is  a  long,  indefinite  time,  and  blessings  and 
admiration  may  be  but  cold  emotions.  What  would  you 
do?  "  and  he  once  more  fixed  his  bold  eyes  upon  her 
face. 

"  Again  I  say  I  do  not  understand  what  your  lordship 
would  have  me  say." 

He  paused  in  thought  and  then  laughed  abruptly,  al- 
most grimly. 

"  It  is  enough,"  he  exclaimed,  with  a  wave  of  the 
liand.  "  The  thought  pleases  me,  for  I  would  gladly 
please  you  ;  believe  that  I  will  grant  your  petition " 

"  Oh,  I  thank  you "  she  burst  in,  when  he  checked 

her. 

"  Wait.  I  will  grant  it  if  you  will  fall  in  with  my 
plan,  will  lend  me  your  aid  in  the  perilous  task  of  gov- 
-ernment ;  will  work  with  me  and  inspire  me  with  your 
sweet  counsel ;  and  if  you  will  consider  what  favour  you 
will  grant  me  in  return.  I  will  have  my  answer  in  a 
week  from  now,  and  until  then  we  speak  no  more  of 
this.  Now  I  have  to  offer  you  my  congratulations  upon 
3'our  approaching  ma«Tiage,  in  which  I  take  deep  in- 
terest." 


42  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

He  rose  shortly  afterwards,  and  when  Gabrielle  hdd 
her  hand  to  him  he  carried  it  to  his  Hps. 

"  Remember,"  he  said,  retaining  her  hand  and  look- 
ing up,  his  face  quite  close  to  hers.  "  Remember,  we 
have  made  a  compact,  and  you  must  make  the  offer 
worthy  of  my  acceptance — or  it  may  mean  fresh  and 
heavier  imposts  for  your  favourites  in  place  of  lighter 
ones,"  and  with  that  smiling,  half-jesting  menace  he 
went  away,  calling  the  Baron  de  Proballe  to  attend  him. 

Gabrielle  stood  gazing  after  him  sorely  bewildered  by 
what  had  passed,  distracted  by  doubts  and  striving  earn- 
estly to  fathom  the  meaning  of  the  question  he  had 
pressed  with  such  insistence. 

When  he  had  gone  she  went  to  an  inner  room,  accom- 
panied by  Lucette  who  had  been  present  at  the  interview 
but  out  of  earshot,  and  had  followed  the  strange  proceed- 
ings, watching  the  Duke  intently  and  reading  there  some- 
thing of  the  purpose  which  was  hidden  from  Gabrielle's 
unsuspecting  nature. 

Lucette  was  skilled  in  reading  love  in  the  eyes  of  men, 
and  with  quaking  heart  and  fearsome  curiosity  she 
waited  now  to  hear  what  words  the  Duke  had  spoken  to 
Gabrielle  to  inspire  the  looks  which  she  had  seen  him 
cast  upon  her.  And  when  she  heard  them,  Lucette  felt 
her  cheeks  alternately  flame  with  rage  and  chill  \vith 
deadly  fear  for  Gabrielle's  sake. 


CHAPTER  V 

THE  tiger's   claws 

LUCETTE  had  had  her  own  troubles  as  well. 
Never  before  had  such  a  mischance  occurred  as 
that  of  the  previous  evening  in  the  pine  walk ; 
and  the  fact  that  she  was  merely  tricking  Dauban  in 
order  to  wheedle  the  truth  out  of  him  had  not  helped 
her  with  her  lover  in  the  least. 

The  thrashing  administered  to  Dauban  had  relieved 
some  of  Denys'  wrath ;  but  the  hard  blows  for  him  had 
been  followed  by  some  equally  hard  words  for  Lucette, 
with  many  hot  and  bitter  reproaches;  none  the  less 
stinging  because  for  once  undeserved.  And  she  had  not 
been  able  to  make  peace  with  him. 

Worst  of  all,  he  had  ridden  away  that  morning  with- 
out so  much  as  a  word  to  her ;  and  she  was  angry  at  his 
obduracy  and  wounded  by  his  neglect,  and  still  more 
angry  with  herself  for  caring  so  much. 

Gabrielle,  quick  to  notice  the  troubles  of  those  about 
her,  had  seen  Lucette's  woe-begone,  doleful  looks  and 
questioned  her  before  the  Duke's  visit ;  but  now  for  the 
moment  she  was  wholly  engrossed  by  the  perplexity  in 
which  that  visit  had  left  her. 

"  What  can  he  want  of  me,  Lucette  ?  "  she  asked  again 
and  again,  until  Lucette  had  a  suggestion  to  make,  bom 
of  her  own  belief  of  the  Duke's  purpose  and  intended  as 
a  warning  for  Gabrielle. 

"  Why  not  take  counsel  of  the  Duchess  ?  She  is  a  true 
friend  of  yours,  Gabrielle.  and  a  good  woman." 

"  It  is  a  good  thought.     I  will  go  to  her  to-day.     I 

43 


44  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

would  give  half  my  wealth  to  do  what  he  proposes — ^to 
have  a  voice  even  for  no  more  than  a  few  short  years 
in  governing  the  people.    I  could  do  so  much  good." 

"  Would  he  keep  his  word,  think  you  ?  I  do  not  trust 
him.  Truth  and  honour  are  not  counted  among  his 
parts." 

"  You  are  suspicious.    Why  ?  " 

"  To  begin  with,  he  is  a  man,"  and  Lucette  nodded  her 
head  and  stamped  her  foot  petulantly, 

"  Not  always  a  quick  path  to  your  disfavour,  coz," 
said  Gabrielle  with  a  smile.    **  Denys  is  a  man." 

"  Denys  has  a  head  of  wood,"  said  Lucette,  lapsing 
into  her  own  wrongs  for  a  moment. 

"  Seeing  the  infinite  uses  to  which  we  turn  wood,  I 
know  not  why  we  always  liken  it  to  stupidity.  Whatever 
our  good  Denys'  head  may  be,  his  heart  is  staunch  and 
true." 

"  We  are  not  speaking  of  Denys  but  of  the  Duke,  who- 
has  neither  wooden  head  nor  staunch  heart — unless  it 
be  staunch  to  some  cruel  and  treacherous  purpose  for  his 
own  game." 

"  I  fear  there  is  truth  in  your  words ;  yet  he  spoke  me 
fairly." 

"  Any  man  can  do  that,"  exclaimed  Lucette,  with  al- 
most vicious  emphasis.  "  But  see  the  Duchess  herself, 
tell  her  all  that  passed,  and  ask  her.  A  wife  should  cer- 
tainly know  best  how  to  interpret  her  husband's  words." 

The  advice  was  given  with  so  much  eagerness  that 
Gabrielle  turned  and  looked  searchingly  into  her  friend's 
eyes. 

"  Have  you  made  a  guess  at  his  purpose  and  withhold 
it  from  me  ?  "  She  asked  so  directly  that  Lucette  winced, 
fearing  that  her  own  fears  might  be  divined.  She  took 
shelter  quickly  in  subterfuge,  and  lowering  her  eyes  she 
dropped  her  head  on  Gabrielle's  shoulder  and  said  with 
a  deep  sigh — 


V 


"WHAT  A   THING    OF    APRIL  WEATHER,  IS  THIS   LOVE 
OF  YOURS,  LUCETTE" 


THE    TIGER'S    CLAWS  45 

"  Oh,  Gabrielle,  I  am  not  myself ;  I  am  the  most 
miserable  girl  on  earth." 

"  What  a  thing  of  April  weather  is  this  love  of  yours ! 
Smiles  and  tears,  sunshine  and  drifting  clouds;  ever 
changing  and  plaguing,  as  it  seems  to  me,  coz," 

"  You  will  know  some  day,  Gabrielle." 

"  I  could  hope  not,  indeed.  It  seems  to  me  the  world 
has  sterner  work  for  some  of  us  women  than  to  be 
plaguing  our  wits  to  please  a  man  or  pleasing  ourselves 
by  plaguing  him.  I  would  gladly  give  up  all  if  I  could 
help  my  people  in  Morvaix  here.  Little  did  the  Duke 
think  how  nearly  his  offer  touched  me." 

"  Did  you  think  so  sternly  yesterday,  Gabrielle,  after 
that  chance  encounter  in  the  market  place?  " 

"If  my  thoughts  wandered  from  my  duty  for  an  hour, 
a  night's  reflection  has  corrected  them,"  answered  Gabri- 
elle slowly. 

"  The  night  had  nothing  but  bitterness  for  me,"  cried 
Lucette  dismally.  "  And  to-day  Denys  has  ridden  away 
without  a  word." 

"  You  should  not  provoke  his  anger  against  you  so 
lightly." 

'"  There  was  no  cause  for  it.  He  would  be  jealous  of 
another  man's  shadow,"  said  Lucette  with  a  pout;  and 
then  with  a  quick  change  of  mood,  she  cried :  "  Oh,  how 
selfish  I  am ;  but  how  am  I  to  tell  you  ?  " 

"  To  tell  me  what  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  what  name  to  give  it,  or  how  to  speak 
of  it.  I  was  talking  with  Master  Dauban,  your  uncle's 
secretary " 

"  So  that  was  the  cause  of  Denys'  anger !  Lucette, 
Lucette ! " 

"  I  hate  him  ;  he  is  a  loathsome  creature." 

"  Then  why  talk  to  him  ?  " 

"  He  made  me  talk  to  him  by  what  he  said." 

^'  Now  of  a  truth  you  puzzle  me." 


46  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  It  is  true.  He  spoke  of  some  danger  threatening 
Malincourt  and  you,  and  I  did  but  try  to  get  it  from  him. 
That  was  all." 

"  You  should  not  listen  to  tittle-tattle,  coz." 

"  He  spoke  of  your  betrothal  to  this  M.  de  Cobalt — 
that  there  was  some  sinister  meaning  in  it;  that  M.  de 
Cobalt  was  no  true  man  but  a  villain ;  and  that  others 
greater  than  he  were  concerned  to  do  you  harm  through 
him.    What  could  I  do  but  listen  and  seek  the  truth  ?  " 

"  You  could  have  bid  him  hold  his  tongue  for  a  mis- 
chief-making meddler  in  concerns  that  are  none  of  his. 
Tell  me  no  more  of  it,  Lucette." 

"  But  he  swore  it  was  true,  and  that " 

"  Peace,  child ;  I  will  hear  no  more." 

"  Gabrielle,  you  must,"  cried  Lucette,  looking  up.  "  It 
is  true,  and  you  must  find  out  what  it  means." 

"  Shall  I  give  my  hand  to  a  man  not  trusting  him  ?  " 

"  Can  you  marry  him  knowing  he  is  not  true  ?  " 

"  Lucette,  you  will  make  me  lose  patience.  Would  you 
have  me  deign  to  fret  myself  over  the  worrying  of  an 
idle  gossip-monger  ?  " 

"  Oh,  it  is  terrible." 

"  You  are  not  yourself,  child,  and  are  frightened  be- 
cause you  have  angered  Denys  more  deeply  than  usual. 
Come,  let  us  go  out  into  the  bright  sunshine  and  shake 
off  these  fretting  fancies.  You  are  always  the  slave  of 
passing  moods,  Lucette,"  she  said,  as  they  crossed  the 
terrace  and  passed  down  the  broad  steps  into  the  gar- 
den. "But  out  here  in  the  sunshine  you  can  most  easily 
recover  your  spirits." 

"  I  am  plagued  with  a  fear  of — I  know  not  what,"  an- 
swered Lucette,  sighing  dismally.  "I  wonder  where 
Denys  has  gone." 

"  He  will  come  back,  and  as  you  are  always  telling 
me,  all  will  come  right,  again."  She  smiled  but  the  smile 
ended  in  something  like  a  sigh. 


THE    TIGER'S    CLAWS  47 

Slie  was  indeed  sorely  perplexed  by  the  course  mat- 
ters were  taking,  and  although  she  would  not  ac- 
knowledge it,  Lucette's  recital  of  Dauban's  warning  had 
moved  her  considerably. 

It  fitted  closely  with  her  own  feelings  in  regard  to  giv- 
ing herself  to  a  man  she  had  never  seen.  Her  pride  of 
place  and  family  had  alone  induced  her  to  think  of  ac- 
cepting the  husband  whom  her  mother  had  chosen  for 
her ;  but  it  was  not  in  human  nature  to  acquiesce  without 
murmurs  and  qualms  and  doubts  and  hesitation. 

Moreover,  the  scene  in  the  market  place  on  the  previous 
<iay  had  disturbed  her  profoundly,  despite  her  stout  as- 
sertion that  the  night's  reflection  had  restored  her.  Her 
couch  had  been  the  ground  of  a  fierce  battle  between  cer- 
tain wild  new-springing  emotions  and  the  set  and  sober 
thoughts  of  duty;  and  the  fight  had  raged  through  the 
whole  of  a  sleepless  night. 

In  vain  she  had  told  herself  over  and  over  again  that 
the  stranger  cavalier  was  nothing  to  her  and  could  be 
nothing;  that  it  was  treachery  to  her  dead  mother  even 
to  let  a  thought  of  him  force  itself  upon  her ;  that  it  was 
imworthy,  unmaidenly,  and  cowardly  to  be  moved  by 
the  remembrance  that  a  man  had  looked  kindly  into  her 
€yes  and  that  she  had  faltered  before  his  glance;  and 
this  at  the  very  moment  when  he  to  whom  she  was  be- 
trothed was  coming  to  her. 

She  upbraided  herself  bitterly  for  her  weakness,  and 
rising  from  her  couch  had  passed  an  hour  or  more  on 
her  knees  in  ferv'ent  prayer  for  strength  to  overcome  the 
temptation  which  she  found  so  alluring,  and  for  power 
to  subdue  these  new  feelings  as  subtly  sweet  as  they  were 
strange  and  exciting. 

Her  heart  would  not  be  denied,  however,  and  despite 
her  most  resolute  efforts  the  recollection  of  the  strong 
handsome  face,  with  the  clear  steadfast  blue  eyes  would 


48  A    COURIER    OF   FORTUNE 

force  itself  back  upon  her  again  and  again  and  yet  again, 
despite  her  most  earnest  efforts. 

In  the  morning  when  her  uncle  told  her  that  he  had 
heard  of  the  stranger's  presence  at  Beaucamp  and  had 
despatched  Denys  in  search  of  him,  she  was  conscious 
that  her  heart  fluttered  almost  wildly  for  the  moment, 
and  she  had  been  compelled  to  turn  her  face  away  lest 
some  of  the  emotion  might  make  itself  evident  there. 

"  He  must  not  think  us  thankless,  uncle,"  she  had  re- 
plied, calmly  enough  in  tone;  but  in  her  heart  she  was 
driven  to  hope  he  would  not  be  found  and  that  never 
would  she  have  to  undergo  the  ordeal  of  meeting  him 
face  to  face.  What  might  then  happen  she  did  not  dare 
to  think. 

But  all  this  emotion  she  had  hidden  from  even  the 
sharp  eyes  of  her  companion,  so  that,  although  for  her 
own  secret  reasons  she  was  as  eagerly  impatient  as 
Lucette  herself  for  Denys'  return,  her  secret  was  locked 
away  under  an  outward  demeanour  as  calm  and  self-pos- 
sessed as  usual. 

Twice  she  sent  to  inquire  if  he  had  come ;  pretending, 
even  while  despising  herself  for  the  pretence,  that  it  was 
for  Lucette's  sake ;  and  when  noon  came  and  passed  and 
he  had  not  returned,  she  masked  her  own  disappointment 
under  a  concern  for  Lucette. 

But  he  did  return  at  length,  despite  the  Duke's  plans 
against  him.  Unconscious  of  the  danger  in  which  he 
rode  he  had  by  a  mere  chance  change  of  direction  evaded 
the  two  men  sent  to  waylay  him,  and  they  had  only  ascer- 
tained the  fact  in  time  to  admit  of  their  following  him 
to  Malincourt  in  hot  haste  and  mortal  fear  of  the  Gov- 
ernor's anger. 

They  had  wandered  into  a  distant  part  of  the  grounds 
when  Gabrielle  caught  sight  of  him  pricking  fast  toward 
the  maison,  and  she  was  at  great  pains  to  conceal  the 
start  she  gave  on  seeing  he  was  alone.     She  told  herself 


THE    TIGER'S    CLAWS  49 

that  she  was  glad  he  brought  no  one  with  him;  but  a 
little  stinging  stab  of  disappointment  deep  down  in  her 
heart  and  an  eager,  hungry  desire  to  learn  the  news  he 
brought,  told  a  very  different  story. 

Then  Lucette  caught  sight  of  him. 

"  Look,  Gabrielle,  look.  There  rides  Denys,"  she  cried 
excitedly. 

'*  Where  ?  "  asked  Gabrielle  in  a  calm  tone,  feeling  like 
a  wicked  hypocrite  for  her  small  pretence. 

"  There,  there.  I  hope  he  will  not  see  us,"  exclaimed 
Lucette,  pointing  in  his  direction  and  making  herself  as 
conspicuous  as  possible. 

"  You  are  showing  yourself  plainly,  Lucette." 

"  Then  he  will  know  where  not  to  come,  if  he  is  not 
in  a  better  temper  than  this  morning." 

Denys  had  seen  Lucette.  Gabrielle  saw  him  turn  and 
look  toward  them  and  then  ride  on  toward  the  house 
without  making  a  sign. 

"  He  might  have  waved  a  hand,"  said  Lucette,  pouting 
and  shrugging  her  shoulders,  '*  But  I  will  punish  him. 
Let  us  go  away  from  here." 

"  But  just  now  you  implied  that  he  would  not  come 
here." 

'  I  will  not  forgive  him  easily  if  he  does,"  said  Lucette, 
with  a  shake  of  the  head  and  a  little  stamp  of  the  foot. 

"  I  will  leave  you  to  meet  him,  coz ;  and  take  my  ad- 
vice, cease  to  play  this  foolish  game  with  him." 

"  There  are  two  other  cavaliers  riding  this  way,"  said 
Lucette  suddenly,  "  and  spurring  hard  in  urgent  haste, 
it  would  seem." 

Had  they  not  been  so  intent  in  watching  these  and 
speaking  of  Denys,  they  would  have  seen  yet  another 
cavalier  who  stepped  for  a  moment  from  a  belt  of  trees» 
looked  eagerly  in  their  direction,  and  then  hurriedly  hid 
himself. 

Gabrielle,  quite  unconscious  of  this,  continued  to  urg^ 


50  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

Lucette  to  wait  alone  for  Denys  and  seek  to  make  her 
peace  with  him.  But  Lucette  was  obstinate;  and  when 
at  length  she  caught  sight  of  Denys  in  the  distance, 
dust-stained  with  his  long  ride,  walking  in  their  direction, 
she  drew  Gabrielle  hurriedly  behind  a  clump  of  trees 
into  hiding, 

"  We  will  see  what  he  does,"  she  whispered  excitedly. 
"  I  shall  know  by  his  face  what  mood  he  is  in," 

When  Denys  reached  the  spot  where  they  had  been 
he  paused  and  looked  about  him. 

"  It  was  here  I  saw  her,  I'll  swear,"  he  said  aloud  to 
himself.  "  I  marked  that  old  chestnut  tree,"  and  he 
glanced  at  it.  "  Which  way  can  she  have  gone  ?  Lu- 
cette," he  called  in  a  loud  voice.  "  Lucette."  As  he 
looked  about  him  he  backed  close  to  the  low  trees  be- 
hind which  the  two  girls  stood.  "  She  can't  have  wan- 
dered far.  Lucette — Lucette,"  he  called  again,  and  waited 
for  his  voice  to  come  echoing  back. 

Then  Lucette,  whose  face  had  brightened  at  hearing 
him  call  for  her,  plucked  a  rose  from  her  bosom  and 
tossed  it  so  that  it  fell  upon  him  in  its  course  to  the 
ground.     He  picked  it  up  and  smiled. 

"  A  rose  from  an  almond  tree,"  he  said  aloud.  "  Surely 
something  of  a  strange  portent.  Where  are  you,  Lucette ; 
little  witch,  that  changes  the  natural  blooms  of  a  tree  ?  " 

Lucette  had  stepped  on  a  low  bough  of  a  tree  and 
now  looked  through  the  bushes. 

"  I  have  dropped  my  rose,  m'sieu.  May  I  trouble  you  ? 
Ah,  M.  Denys,  is  it  you  ?  "  with  a  start  of  pretended  sur- 
prise. 

*''  Lucette,"  he  said  passionately. 

"  Monsieur !  "     This  distantly. 

"  Come,  Lucette.  Let  the  rose  make  our  peace.  I  have 
been  thinking  of  you  through  all  my  long  ride." 

She  came  slowly  toward  him,  parting  the  bushes  and 
playing  at  indifference. 


THE    TIGER'S    CLAWS  51 

"  It  is  my  rose,  if  you  please,  m'sieu." 

"  But  you  meant  it  for  me,"  and  he  kissed  it  and  then 
tried  to  take  her  hands.     But  she  drew  back. 

"  Do  we  know  each  other,  m'sieu  ?  " 

His  answer  was  a  smile  and  an  attempt  to  take  her 
in  his  arms.  But  she  would  not  let  him.  Seeing  his 
mood,  she  could  not  resist  a  chance  to  tease  him  further. 

"  Have  you  forgotten  what  you  said  last  night  ?  Did 
you  not  ride  off  this  morning  without  a  word — a  single 
word  ?    Do  you  think  I  forgive  so  easily,  and  forget  ?  " 

"  I  can  answer  that,  Denys,"  said  Gabrielle,  stepping 
out  now  from  her  place  of  concealment.  She  was 
anxious  to  end  the  quarrel  and  learn  the  news  he 
brought.  "  She  has  forgiven  you  and  is  sorry  for  what 
she  did.  She  has  been  heart-broken  all  the  morning  at 
your  absence." 

"  Gabrielle,  I "  began  Lucette  in  protest. 

"  It  is  true,  Denys,  every  word.  So  make  your  peace; 
with  her.    Come,  Lucette,  be  true  to  yourself." 

"  Peacemaker  as  usual,  mademoiselle,"  cried  Denys, 
with  a  happy,  grateful  smile. 

''  Indeed,  indeed,  it  is  nothing  of  the  sort.  Denys  said 
last  night  that " 

"  Never  mind  what  I  said  in  my  anger,  Lucette ;  I  am 
sorry." 

"  But  it  was  so  causeless,  so  unjust,  so — so  horrible," 
and  she  put  her  hands  to  her  ears  as  if  in  horror  at  the 
mere  recollection. 

Denys  captured  them  then  in  his  strong  hands  and 
held  her  a  prisoner,  while  Gabrielle  turned  away. 

"  Let  me  go,  Denys,  let  me  go ;  how  dare  you ! "  cried 
Lucette,  as  if  in  anger,  and  commenced  to  struggle,  tap- 
ping her  foot  and  averting  her  head  as  he  strove  to  kiss 
her.    "  Let  me  go  I  say." 

"  Not  till  you  say  all  that  foolish  quarrel  is  over,  and 
you  have  kissed  me." 


52  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  I  will  not.  I  will  not.  Let  me  go,"  she  cried,  keep- 
ing up  the  pretence  of  anger, 

*'  Kiss  me  then." 

"  I  will  not.    How  dare  you  force  me  like  this  ?  " 

And  they  were  struggling  in  this  way  when  a  wholly 
unexpected  and  unwelcome  interruption  came. 

"  How  dare  you  treat  a  girl  like  that  ?  "  demanded  a 
man's  voice ;  and  Antoine  de  Cavannes,  followed  by  Henri 
d'Estelle,  who  had  dogged  Denys'  footsteps,  rushed  up 
and  laid  violent  hands  on  his  shoulder.  "  Oh,  it's  you, 
Lucette,"  continued  Antoine,  in  anger  and  surprise. 
"  Why  didn't  you  call  me  ?  " 

Denys  frowned  darkly.  He  released  Lucette,  who  fell 
back  a  step  or  two  in  disconcerted  amazement. 

"  This  is  no  concern  of  yours,  gentlemen,"  said  Denys. 

"  Indeed,  but  it  is.  No  cowardly  cur  shall  maltreat  a 
g^rl  in  our  presence,  eh,  d'Estelle  ? "  The  two  men  ex- 
changed meaning  glances. 

"  Be  careful  of  your  words,  m'sieu,  if  you  please," 
said  Denys,  his  hand  going  involuntarily  to  his  sword 
belt. 

"  Careful  with  a  blackguardly  girl-beater  like  you.  Be 
off  about  your  business  and  leave  mademoiselle  with  me." 

"  By  God !  "  cried  Denys  under  his  breath.  "  You  shall 
eat  those  words,  or  I  am  no  man." 

"  Out  on  you  for  a  braggart,"  said  Antoine,  while  his 
companion  gave  Denys  a  violent  thrust. 

"  Be  off  with  you,  I  say,"  he  exclaimed  roughly. 

In  a  moment  Denys'  sword  was  out  of  its  scabbard. 

"  No,  no,  Denys,  you  must  not,"  cried  Lucette,  now  in 
dire  consternation  at  the  turn  matters  had  taken. 

"  You've  often  told  me  of  this  fellow's  blackguard 
ways,"  said  Antoine.  "  It's  time  he  had  a  lesson  how  to 
behave." 

"  Gabrielle,  Gabrielle,"  cried  Lucette,  catching  sight 
of  her.    "Come  here.    Come  here." 


THE    TIGER'S    CLAWS  53 

"  Another  petticoat  for  the  coward  to  skulk  behind," 
said  d'Estelle,  with  a  coarse  laugh. 

"  Gentlemen,  you  have  made  a  great  mistake,"  cried 
Gabrielle,  hastening  forward.  "  This  is  not  what  you 
think.  M.  St.  Jean  is  betrothed  to  Mademoiselle  de  Bois- 
degarde." 

"  It  had  small  appearance  of  it  just  now,"  said  d'Estelle. 

"And  I  know  it  to  be  false,"  declared  /.  .toine. 

"  Monsieur !  "  exclaimed  Gabrielle,  drawing  herself  up. 

"  Mademoiselle !  "  answered  d'Estelle,  with  insolent 
imitation  of  her  tone. 

The  words  were  scarcely  out  of  d'Estelle's  mouth  be- 
fore Denys  strode  forward  and  struck  him  a  swinging 
left-handed  blow  across  the  mouth. 

"  You  dog !  "  he  said  fiercely. 

The  two  men  drew  then  and  were  for  attacking  him 
together,  but  Lucette  threw  herself  before  him.  Her 
wits,  at  first  dazed  by  the  dread  of  trouble  to  herself  from 
the  meeting  of  Antoine  and  Denys,  were  now  sharpened 
by  her  fear  for  Denys'  sake  from  the  unequal  combat, 
and  by  a  rapid  intuition  she  jumped  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  meeting  was  designed  for  her  lover's  hurt. 

"  It  shall  not  be.  It  is  not  fair — two  to  one.  You 
cowards !  "  she  cried,  facing  the  couple  angrily. 

"  Stand  aside,  Lucette,"  said  Denys,  putting  her  away. 
"  The  thing  has  gone  too  far,"  and  choosing  a  spot 
which  he  deemed  most  to  his  advantage  he  put  himself 
in  an  attitude  of  defence.    "  Now,  messieurs,  if  you  will." 

Lucette  wrung  her  hands  distractedly. 

"  They  will  kill  him.  They  have  come  to  do  it.  I  know 
— I  know,"  she  cried,  until  Gabrielle  bade  her  run  to  the 
house  and  get  help,  when  she  set  off  with  the  speed  of 
fear. 

Denys  was  a  good  swordsman,  and,  having  chosen  his 
ground  well,  fought  warily  against  the  pair,  who,  over- 
eager  to  finish  the  thing  before  any  help  could  come. 


54  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

hampered  each  other,  so  that  d'Estelle,  getting  in  An- 
toine's  way,  tripped  and  fell.  His  sword  flew  out  of 
his  hand  and  rolled  close  to  Gabrielle,  who  instantly  set 
her  foot  upon  it. 

The  man  scrambled  quickly  to  his  feet  and  ran  to  his 
sword. 

"  It  is  not  fair,  monsieur,  two  to  one,"  said  Gabrielle 
angrily, 

"  Take  your  foot  from  my  sword,  mademoiselle,"  he 
answered,  a  menace  in  both  tone  and  look. 

"  I  will  not,"  she  answered  as  firmly  as  before. 

"  Then  take  the  consequences,"  he  cried  fiercely,  and 
•with  a  thrust  he  pushed  her  away,  and  snatching  up  his 
weapon,  ran  to  the  assistance  of  Antoine,  whom  Denys 
was  now  pressing  fiercely  in  single  combat. 

"  Help,  help !  "  called  Gabrielle  in  a  loud  voice.  "  Will 
no  help  come  ?  " 

But  help  was  unexpectedly  at  hand,  for  another's  eyes 
had  seen  the  dastardly  attack  of  d'Estelle. 

The  stranger  who  had  been  in  the  wood  had  witnessed 
the  last  part  of  the  quarrel,  and  when  the  two  men  com- 
menced the  attack  upon  Denys,  he  had  started  at  a  rapid 
run  toward  the  scene. 

A  loud  angry  shout  now  proclaimed  his  arrival. 

"  You  villain,  to  strike  a  woman.  Two  swords  to  one, 
gentlemen!  This  is  murder,  not  fighting.  Have  a  care, 
monsieur ;  that  rascal  is  getting  behind  your  back.  Ah, 
a  foul,  treacherous  stroke,"  he  exclaimed  next,  as 
d'Estelle,  having  crept  up  behind  Denys,  ran  his  blade 
into  his  back. 

As  Denys  fell,  the  stranger  gave  another  loud  cry  and 
leapt  forward.  Antoine  was  about  to  deliver  another 
thrust  while  Denys  lay  on  the  ground,  when  his  sword 
was  parried  by  that  of  the  newcomer. 

"  To  me,  messieurs,  to  me,"  and  the  two  men  found 
themselves  the  objects  of  a  rapid  and  vehement  attack  by 


THE    TIGER'S    CLAWS  55 

a  swordsman  vastly  more  skilful  than  themselves.  In  a 
minute  d'Estelle  was  wounded  with  a  slash  on  the  sword 
arm,  and  facing  Antoine,  the  cavalier  cried  in  a  voice 
of  thunder :  "  Now,  you  assassin,  it  is  your  turn." 

But  Antoine,  deserted  by  his  comrade,  who  ran  off 
as  soon  as  he  was  wounded,  had  no  heart  to  face  the 
blade  which  played  round  him,  threatening  death  at 
every  flashing  turn,  gave  ground  and  with  a  cry  of  terror, 
broke  away  and  fled  as  fast  as  his  legs  would  carry  him. 

His  antagonist  was  following  him,  when  there  came  a 
cry  from  Gabrielle. 

"  Monsieur — monsieur !  " 

He  stopped  at  the  words,  turned,  bared  his  head  and 
bowed. 

"  Your  pardon,  mademoiselle.  In  my  haste  to  punish 
a  treacherous  coward  I  was  forgetting  you  were  alone." 

"  Monsieur,"  said  Gabrielle,  now  lowering  her  eyes  in 
blushing  confusion. 

It  was  the  cavalier  who  had  rescued  her  the  previous 
day  in  the  market  place;  and  the  rush  of  thoughts  held 
her  tongue-tied  in  embarrassment. 


CHAPTER    VI 

I   AM    KNOWN    AS    GERARD    DE    COBALT." 

ABRIELLE'S  heart  beat  very  fast  in  the  few 
moments  she  stood  trying  vainly  to  find  words 
to  speak,  and  she  was  conscious  of  Httle  save  a 
whirl  of  strange  emotions  in  which  predominated  a  sort 
of  guilty  pleasure  at  meeting  again  the  stranger  who  had 
so  filled  her  thoughts  in  the  last  hours. 

He  broke  the  silence. 

"  I  trust  that  scoundrel  did  not  hurt  you,  mademoi- 
selle ?  "  he  said,  voice  and  eyes  alike  full  of  solicitude, 
as  she  noticed  in  her  swift  flitting  upward  glance  when 
he  spoke, 

"  No,  monsieur,"  she  replied,  and  could  say  no  more. 

"  I  have  set  a  mark  on  him  to  know  him  by,  and  he 
will  have  a  reckoning  to  settle.  By  your  leave,  I  will 
see  to  this  poor  feltov/'s  hurt.  I  am  something  of  a 
surgeon.  A  soldier  must  be  many  things,"  and  with  a 
bow  he  went  over  to  Denys  and  bent  over  him. 

This  act  relieved  Gabrielle's  embarrassment,  and  fear 
for  Denys  made  her  less  conscious  of  her  own  confusing 
thoughts.  After  a  moment's  hesitation  she  knelt  down 
on  the  other  side  of  the  wounded  man. 

"  My  poor  Denys,"  she  murmured. 

Her  companion  with  quick  deft  touch  found  the  wound, 
and  after  examining  it,  staunched  the  blood  which  was 
flowing  freely. 

"  An  ill  sight  for  your  eyes,  mademoiselle,"  he  said. 

*'  I  am  a  soldier's  daughter,  monsieur,  and  accustomed 
to  the  treatment  of  the  sick.  Is  the  hurt  serious,  think 
you?" 

55 


GERARD    DE    COBALT  57 

"  To  the  best  of  my  judgment,  no,  unless  there  be  some 
internal  injury,  which  is  not  likely,  judging  by  the  direc- 
tion of  the  wound.  It  was  a  coward's  thrust  in  truth, 
but  like  most  coward's  work,  ill  done,  thank  Heaven.  It 
is  mainly  a  flesh  wound.  But  a  surgeon  should  see  it 
with  as  little  delay  as  possible." 

"  There  will  be  help  from  the  maison  directly.  I  have 
sent  for  it." 

At  that  moment  Denys  opened  his  eyes  and  seeing 
Gabrielle  he  smiled  faintly,  and  then  frowned  in  surprise 
at  her  companion. 

"  You  are  not  much  hurt,  my  brave  Denys,"  said  Gabri- 
elle, "  and  all  is  well  with  me." 

Denys  rolled  his  eyes  round  as  if  in  search  of  some  one, 
and  Gabrielle  was  quick  to  understand. 

"  Lucette  has  gone  for  help,  Denys ;  she  will  be  back 
directly.  All  is  well  with  her  as  with  me."  He  smiled 
again,  and  making  an  ineffectual  effort  to  speak,  closed 
his  eyes  with  a  sigh  of  relief. 

Then  footsteps  and  voices  were  heard,  and  Lucette,  with 
the  Baron  de  Proballe  and  Jacques  Dauban,  came  hurry- 
ing to  the  spot.  Lucette  threw  herself  beside  Denys  while 
de  Proballe  eyed  the  stranger  with  searching  glances,  and 
started  slightly  at  the  sound  of  his  voice  as  he  bade 
Lucette  be  cautious  not  to  disturb  Denys. 

"  There  has  been  fighting,  I  hear,  Gabrielle,"  he  said. 

"  There  has  been  murder  attempted,  uncle,  and  it  would 
have  been  done  but  for  the  intervention  of  this  gentleman, 
who  drove  the  assassins  off." 

"  We  are  deeply  beholden  to  you,  monsieur,"  said  de 
Proballe  courteously,  "  and  on  behalf  of  my  niece,  I  thank 
you."  While  he  spake  he  was  searching  his  memory  to 
recall  where  he  had  seen  the  stranger,  whose  face  and 
voice  he  seemed  to  know. 

"  There  is  no  need  for  thanks,  monsieur,"  was  the  reply.. 
"  I  did  no  more  than  any  one  would  have  done.    But  the 


58  A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

wounded  man  should  be  removed  and  a  surgeon  should 
see  to  his  hurts.    He  has  lost  much  blood." 

"  We  will  send  for  a  litter.  Run  to  the  maison,  Jacques, 
and " 

"  With  your  leave,  and  a  little  help  in  lifting  him, 
I  could  carry  him  if  it  be  not  too  far,"  interrupted  the 
stranger.  And  with  Dauban's  and  Lucette's  assistance, 
he  picked  Denys  up  and  bade  them  show  him  the  way. 

"  You  are  strong,  monsieur,"  said  de  Proballe,  with  a 
smile  at  the  ease  with  which  he  bore  the  heavy  burden. 

"  I  am  a  soldier,  monsieur,  and  he  who  fights  must 
needs  have  strong  arms.  It  were  best  if  your  servant 
there  were  to  run  on  and  prepare  for  our  coming." 

Dauban's  face  scowled  at  the  word  servant. 

"  Run  on,  Jacques,  and  see  to  this,"  said  de  Proballe, 
adding :  "  He  is  my  secretary,  monsieur,  not  my  servant." 

Dauban  hastened  on  then,  and  Gabrielle  and  her  uncle 
walked  in  front,  Lucette  keeping  by  Denys. 

"  It  is  the  cavalier  who  came  to  my  assistance  in  the 
market  place  yesterday,  uncle,"  said  Gabrielle. 

"  Who  is  he  ?  I  am  much  mistaken  if  I  have  not  seen 
him  somewhere  before,"  was  the  reply. 

"  I  have  not  inquired  his  name." 

"  He  belongs  not  to  Morvaix,  I  think,  and  seems,  as 
you  said,  a  man  of  some  distinction.  I  will  ask  his  name 
and  station." 

"  Had  we  not  better  wait  until  we  reach  the  maison? 
Our  poor  Denys  is  a  heavy  burden  even  for  his  stalwart 
arms,  and  to  cause  him  to  talk  just  now  might  prove  bur- 
densome to  him." 

"  You  are  always  solicitous,  Gabrielle,"  replied  her 
uncle,  with  a  smile  and  a  shrewd  glance.  "  I  will  leave 
it  as  you  say." 

Meanwhile  Dauban  had  hurried  on  a  prey  to  mingled 
feelings,  in  which  desire  to  appear  anxious  on  Denys'  be- 
half and  so  hide  his  share  in  the  matter  was  paramount. 


GERARD    DE    COBALT  59 

He  sent  one  servant  speeding  on  horseback  for  a  surgeon 
and  brought  out  others  with  a  Utter,  and  met  the  little 
procession  as  they  were  nearing  the  terrace. 

Denys  was  laid  carefully  and  gently  on  the  litter  and 
borne  up  the  broad  steps  into  the  house,  Lucette  walk- 
ing by  his  side  and  holding  his  hand. 

The  other  three  remained  at  the  foot  of  the  steps,  the 
stranger  leaning  for  a  space  against  one  of  the  pediments 
of  the  marble  balustrade  to  recover  his  breath. 

"  We  shall  be  glad  to  know,  monsieur,  to  whom  we  are 
indebted  for  this  most  timely  service  as  well  as  for  that 
rendered  yesterday  to  my  niece  in  the  market  place,"  said 
de  Proballe.  "  It  seems  to  me  we  have  met  before ;  but 
I  am  getting  an  old  man,  and  my  memory  is  apt  to  fail 
me  at  times." 

The  question  appeared  to  be  momentarily  embarrassing 
and,  to  cover  the  pause,  the  stranger  breathed  heavily 
and  made  a  gesture  of  fatigue. 

"  You  will  come  in  and  rest,  monsieur,"  said  Gabrielle, 
noticing  this. 

But  the  hesitation  passed,  and  glancing  first  at  Gabrielle 
with  a  smile  of  thanks  for  her  thoughtfulness,  he  turned 
to  de  Proballe  and  said  firmly — 

"  I  am  glad  to  have  been  of  service  to  mademoiselle, 
monsieur.     I  am  known  as  Gerard  de  Cobalt." 

"  Gerard  de  Cobalt !  "  both  exclaimed  in  a  breath ;  de 
Proballe  adding  "  Our  Gerard.  Then  of  a  truth  are  you 
welcome  indeed  to  Malincourt." 

"  To  Malincourt !  "  exclaimed  Gerard,  amazed  at  the 
effect  of  the  name  he  had  given.  He  knew  of  course  where 
he  was  and  who  they  were  who  spoke  to  him ;  but  why 
they  should  welcome  him  in  this  way  passed  his  under- 
standing. And  when  he  turned  from  de  Proballe  to 
Gabrielle  and  saw  that  her  cheeks  were  aglow  with  blushes 
and  her  eyes  bright  and  dancing  with  gladness,  his  be- 
wilderment was  all  the  greater. 


6o  A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Tis  the  work  of  Providence,  surely,"  she  said,  hold- 
ing her  hand  to  him.    He  took  it  and  pressed  his  Ups  to  it. 

"  Aye,  'tis  Providence,"  echoed  de  Proballe.  "  Now  I 
see  why  you  were  no  stranger  to  me.  'Tis  the  boy  speak- 
ing through  the  man,  Gerard,  and  a  right  gallant  man 
too." 

"  The  boy  ?  "  asked  Gerard,  not  understanding. 

"  Of  course.  You  were  but  a  slip  of  a  lad  when  we  last 
met,  with  little  promise  of  being  such  a  stalwart  fellow. 
But  I  will  go  and  see  to  poor  Denys.  You  two  will  not 
be  sorry  to  be  alone  and  learn  something  each  of  the 
other,"  and  with  a  sharp  inscrutable  glance  at  Gerard, 
he  passed  up  the  steps  and  into  the  house. 

Gerard  felt  profoundly  ill  at  ease.  It  was  clear  that 
some  egregious  mistake  had  been  made  concerning  him, 
and  that  he  had  been  mistaken  for  some  other  Gerard 
whose  real  name  was  that  which  he  had  assumed  at  ran- 
dom for  the  purposes  of  his  sojourn  in  Morvaix. 

To  avow  himself  Gerard  de  Bourbon,  while  his  work 
was  still  scarcely  begun,  was  impracticable.  It  might 
ruin  everything  indeed ;  for  de  Proballe  would  instantly 
acquaint  the  Duke  de  Rochelle ;  yet  to  deceive  the  lovely 
girl  whose  face  had  been  in  his  thoughts  from  the  mo- 
ment he  had  first  seen  her  was  repugnant  to  every  sense 
of  right  and  instinct  of  honour. 

There  was  another  consideration.  The  Baron  de  Pro- 
balle was  represented  as  Gabrielle's  uncle ;  and  knowing, 
as  Gerard  did,  the  man's  real  character  and  infinite 
capacity  for  ill-doing,  fears  for  Gabrielle  herself  impelled 
him  to  maintain  his  assumed  character  until  he  had  at 
least  satisfied  himself  that  de  Proballe  had  no  evil  intent 
toward  her. 

He  could  not  decide  what  to  do  for  a  moment,  and  his 
confusion  and  hesitation  were  apparent  to  Gabrielle,  who 
set  them  down,  however,  to  very  different  causes. 

There  was  an  alcove  with  a  seat  near  the  corner  of 
k 


GERARD    DE    COBALT  6i 

the  balustrade,  and  sinking  upon  it  with  a  sigh,  Gabrielle 
exclaimed — 

"  Thank  God  you  have  come,  cousin,  and  thank  God 
more  that  you  are  what  you  are,  a  brave  and  gallant 
gentleman." 

"  Cousin  ?  "  echoed  Gerard,  catching  the  word. 

"  Cousin,  of  course ;  what  else  ?  "  and  then  as  if  per- 
ceiving some  double  meaning  in  her  last  words,  she 
blushed  vividly. 

"  I  do  not  understand,"  he  murmured,  and  then :  "  That 
is  the  Baron  de  Proballe  ?  " 

"  Of  course,  as  surely  as  I  am  Gabrielle  de  Malincourt. 
My  uncle  and  my  one  good  friend  and  adviser — up  to 
now."  She  lifted  her  eyes  and  smiled  as  she  emphasised 
the  last  words. 

"  Your  good  friend  and  adviser !  "  he  repeated. 

'*  How  oddly  you  speak,  cousin.  Is  it  not  by  his  counsel 
and  urging  that  you  are  here  ?  " 

"  That  I  am  here  ?  "  he  asked,  this  time  with  a  start. 

"  Perhaps  you  are  not  glad  to  have  been  brought 
here." 

"  Mademoiselle,  I  have  seen  you,"  he  answered  with 
a  bow. 

Gabrielle  laughed  gaily.    "  How  formal,  cousin."  j 

"  I  am  lost  in  wonderment.    I  know  not  what  to  say." 

"  It  is  well  that  you  are  quicker  with  your  sword  than 
with  your  tongue,  or  it  would  have  gone  harder  than 
it  did  with  my  poor  Denys  just  now.  But  perhaps  I 
understand.  You  are  surprised  in  me.  I  am  different 
from  what  you  expected." 

"  You  are  the  fairest  woman  I  have  ever  seen." 

She  blushed  again  and  smiled. 

"  Yet  you  could  not  look  more  scared  were  I  the  ugliest 
witch.  Shall  I  tell  you  a  secret?  I  have  dreaded  your 
coming." 

"  Pray  God  I  may  never  give  you  cause  to  repent  it. 


62  A   COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

mademoiselle,"  he  replied  with  an   intense  earnestness 
which  drew  her  gaze  full  upon  him, 

"  Mademoiselle  ?  "  she  repeated,  after  a  pause,  with  a 
touch  of  coquetry.  "  Mademoiselle — from  cousin  to 
cousin  ?  " 

He  started  again  uneasily,  for  the  question  put  a  fresh 
puzzle  to  him — how  to  address  her.  Then  he  put  it  by  and 
asked — 

"  Why  did  you  dread  my  coming,  as  you  say  ?  " 

She  first  winced  and  bit  her  lip,  and  then,  setting  her 
head  a  little  on  one  side,  she  glanced  up  at  him  with  a 
mischievous  smile. 

"  I  once  knew  such  a  horrid  Gerard  de  Cobalt ;  and  if 

you  had  been  like  him,  oh "  the  sentence  ended  in  a 

shudder.  i 

,      "  What,  another  Gerard  de  Cobalt  ?  "  he  asked  mystified. 
'      She  laughed  outright  then,  merrily  and  without  re- 
straint. 

"  As  if  you  did  not  know.  How  could  there  be  any 
other  Gerard  de  Cobalt  but  you?  You  were  a  horrid 
boy,  you  know;  really  horrid;  cruel,  rough,  unkind  just 
for  unkindness'  sake.  And  you  used  to  hate  me — at  least 
you  said  so ;  and  I  was  glad  of  it." 

"  I  must  have  been  worse  than  unkind — a  fool,  I  think, 
mademoiselle.     Boys  generally  are,"  he  replied  laughing. 

"  Mademoiselle  again  ?  " 

"  What  should  I  say  ?  "  he  asked,  growing  bolder  the 
deeper  he  allowed  himself  to  plunge  into  the  mystery,  and 
getting  less  and  less  willing  to  have  it  cleared  up. 

"  My  name  is  Gabrielle,"  she  said  half  shyly,  *'  unless 
you  think  mademoiselle  prettier." 

"  Gabrielle."  He  spoke  the  name  in  a  soft  tender  tone 
with  such  a  sweet  reverence  that  she  lowered  her  gaze 
and  sighed. 

"  So  I  was  a  horrid  boy,  was  I  ?  "  he  asked  lightly, 
breaking  the  pause.    She  looked  up  then  all  smiles. 


GERARD    DE    COBALT  63 

"  Don't  you  remember  ?  But  of  course  you  didn't  think 
so  yourself,  and  I  daresay  thought  me  a  little  spitfire.  You 
used  to  pinch  me  slyly  and  kick  me,  and  laugh  when  you 
hurt  me.  I  wonder  I  have  not  the  bruises  to  this  day. 
And  have  you  forgotten  that  time  I  flew  at  you  and  boxed 
your  ears  ?  " 

"  I  wonder  I  can  have  forgotten,"  he  laughed. 

"  Yes,  you  had  snared  a  blackbird  and  were  pulling 
out  its  feathers,  and  mad  at  the  sight  I  rushed  at  you  and 
struck  you,  and  you  let  it  go  in  your  surprise.  I  hated 
you  for  that,  Gerard,  I  did  indeed." 

"  Serve  me  right,  too." 

"  And  you  called  me  such  names." 

"  Not  Gabrielle  ?  "  he  interposed. 

"  No,  and  not  mademoiselle,"  she  retorted  laughing. 
"  But  cat,  and  beast,  and  fury,  and  everything,  and  you 
pulled  my  hair." 

"  That  hair  ?  "  he  asked,  laughing  again.  "  What  sacri- 
lege." 

"  Yes,  this  hair,"  she  nodded  gaily.  "  Oh,  it  is  no 
wonder  that  when  they  told  me  you  were  coming  to- 
well,  you  know  why — that  I  was  frightened  lest  you 
should  be  just  an  older  edition  of  that  cruel  little  ugly 
horror." 

"Ugly,  too?" 

"  Yes,  ugly.  You  were  not  a  bit  good-looking  even  for 
a  boy.  I  should  never  have  guessed  you  were  the  same ;  " 
and  then  she  put  her  finger  to  her  lip  in  some  dismay 
as  if  to  check  herself. 

"  I  think  I  am  glad  to  have  disappointed  you." 

"  And  do  you  think  I  have  changed  ?  "  she  asked,  with 
a  challenge  in  her  eyes. 

"  You  are  older." 

"  What,  in  fifteen  years  ?    How  strange !  " 

"  Is  it  fifteen  years  since  you  saw  that  pleasant  youth 
you  have  described  ?  " 


64  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Is  that  to  put  off  my  question  ?  Have  I  disappointed 
you  as  you  have  me  ?  " 

"  I  had  not  even  an  idea  of  how  beautiful  you  would 
be." 

"  Nay,  if  you  flatter  me,  I  shall  not  like  it." 

"  It  is  no  flattery — Gabrielle,"  and  the  low  earnest  tone 
thrilled  her  with  delight.  She  thought  a  moment  and 
then,  looking  up,  said  simply  as  she  smiled  into  his  eyes — 

"  It  is  not  unmaidenly,  seeing  why  you  have  come  to 
Morvaix,  for  me  to  say  what  pleasure  such  words  give 
me,  Gerard.  Oh,  I  think  I  must  be  the  happiest  girl  in 
all  fair  France  to-day." 

"  Seeing  why  I  have  come  ?  "  he  repeated  question- 
ingly. 

"  Gerard !  "  The  tone  was  one  of  reproach,  and  she 
Icioked  troubled.  "  You  have  come  for — for  a  purpose, 
haven't  you  ?  "  Her  eyes  were  on  the  ground  as  she  spoke 
hesitatingly. 

"  Yes,  and  with  God's  help,  I  will  carry  it  through." 

She  looked  up  then,  but  the  smile  on  her  face  faded 
quickly  away  as  she  seemed  not  to  read  in  his  eyes  what 
she  sought. 

"  And  your  purpose  is — what  ?  "  she  asked,  in  a  strange 
tone,  very  subdued,  quiet  and  anxious. 

"  Even  to  you  I  cannot  tell  it  yet,"  he  answered. 

"  Cannot  tell  it  me,  Gerard  ?     But "  she  broke  off 

and  repeated  wonderingly :  "  'Cannot  tell  it  me — yet  ?  '  " 

"  But  you  shall  know  it  at  the  first  moment  I  can  open 
my  lips,  and  from  what  I  have  learnt  of  you,  I  know  your 
sympathy  will  be  with  me  and  it." 

Gabrielle  felt  the  colour  leaving  her  cheeks.  What 
could  he  mean?  There  must  be  some  hindrance  to  the 
plan  of  their  marriage.  He  had  said  nothing  of  this  in 
"his  letters  to  her  uncle — nor  a  word  to  her. 

"You  have  turned  pale,  mademoiselle.  Are  you  ill?** 
)je  asked  kindly,  seeing  the  change  in  her. 


GERARD   DE    COBALT  6$ 

"  No,  no ;  but  I  fear  I  don't  understand.  I  have  been 
unmaidenly  and  forward.  But  I  did  not  know.  You  have 
said  nothing  of  this  obstacle  in  your  letters  to  my  uncle 
or  to  me.  I  thought  it  was  settled.  But  1  was  wrong,  of 
course ;  we  all  have  been.  Yet  I  thought  when  you  came 
with  no  word — oh,  cousin,  was  it  manly  or  honourable 
of  you  not  to  tell  me  at  once,  not  to  check  me  ?  Oh,  I  know 
not  what  to  say." 

He  was  as  much  disturbed  by  the  change  in  her  as  he 
was  troubled  by  the  sight  of  her  distress  and  puzzled  by 
her  words. 

"  Obstacle  ?  What  obstacle  ?  What  have  I  said  to  dis- 
turb you  thus  ?  "  he  asked.  "  I  would  do  anything  in 
the  world  for  you." 

"  You  shame  me,  cousin." 

"  Gabrielle,  on  my  honour,  I  know  not  what  you 
mean  ?  "  he  cried,  with  whole-hearted  earnestness. 

She  rose  then  and  looked  at  him,  with  a  great  effort 
to  be  calm. 

'*  As  God  is  my  judge,  I  would  give  my  life  to  serve 
you,"  he  protested  passionately.  "  I  repeat,  I  know  not 
what  you  mean." 

"  What  your  purpose  may  be,  I  cannot  guess ;  but  mat- 
ters have  gone  too  far  for  us  to  fence  with  words  or  feign 
ignorance  of  facts.  You  can  have  had  but  the  one  pur- 
pose in  coming  to  Morvaix  and  to  Malincourt.  You  have 
already  expressed  it  openly  in  your  letters.  It  is  to  further 
my  dead  parents'  wish  for  our  marriage." 

He  fell  back  a  pace  in  his  intense  wonderment,  and 
an  exclamation  of  astonishment  rushed  to  his  lips  only  to 
be  checked  with  a  supreme  effort.  But  she  saw  the  look 
and  noted  the  gesture,  and  her  pride  took  instant  offence. 

"  I  will  leave  you,  monsieur ;  perhaps  you  will  explain 
this  obstacle  to  my  uncle  with  more  candour  than  you 
have  deemed  necessary  to  show  to  me." 


66  A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

He  conquered  his  surprise,  and  the  wounded  pride  in 
her  eyes  and  voice  roused  him.  To  him  she  was  more 
than  aught  else  in  the  world,  and  instantly  he  took  the 
resolve  to  sweep  away  the  misunderstanding  by  explain- 
ing all — his  purpose  in  Morvaix,  and  that  he  was  not  the 
man  she  believed.  He  could  not  let  her  go  in  anger,  let 
the  cost  be  what  it  would. 

"  One  moment.  As  1  live,  there  is  no  obstacle  on  my 
side  to — to  our  marriage.  That  I  swear.  But  I  will 
explain  all." 

She  paused  and  turned,  her  foot  already  on  the  steps 
to  leave  him ;  and  his  heart  leapt  to  see  the  light  that  his 
words  brought  back  to  her  eyes. 

"  You  have  tried  me  sorely,  cousin.    I "  she  faltered 

and  smiled  and  then  leant  for  support  against  the  balus- 
trade. 

"  God  knows  I  would  not  cause  you  even  a  moment's 
uneasy  thought,"  he  said  earnestly.  "  I  have  done  wrong, 
I  know,  but  the  temptation  was  a  sweet  one.  I  had  no 
thought  to  deceive  you  when  I  came " 

He  got  no  farther,  for  at  that  moment  de  Proballe 
stepped  from  the  house  and  crossed  the  terrace  to  them, 
saying  cheerily  as  he  approached — 

"  Well,  are  you  getting  to  know  one  another,  eh  ?  " 

"  What  I  have  to  say  is  for  your  ears  alone.  I  pray  your 
patience  and  will  give  you  ample  reasons,"  said  Gerard  in 
a  quick  undertone ;  adding  aloud :  "  Yes,  monsieur,  we 
are  close  to  a  complete  understanding.  Is  it  not  so, 
cousin  ?  " 

"  I  hope  so,"  she  answered,  mystified  still,  but  smiling. 

"  Poor  Denys  is  better,  but  very  weak,  and  is  asking 
for  you." 

"  With  your  leave  I  will  go  to  him,"  she  said  to  Gerard. 

"  I  sent  her  off  that  we  may  have  a  talk  and  an  under- 
standing, too,"  said  de  Proballe,  when  Gabrielle  had  gone 


GERARD    DE    COBALT  67 

into  the  house.    "  Let  us  walk  here  in  the  open  where  no 
ears  can  catch  our  words." 

He  led  the  way  to  where  a  fountain  stood  among  the 
flower  beds  surrounded  by  a  broad  path,  and  Gerard  ac- 
companied him,  in  bewildered  curiosity  as  to  what  this 
new  development  was  to  be. 


CHAPTER  VII 

AT   MALINCOURT 

DISTRESSED  as  Gerard  had  been  by  the  necessity 
to  deceive  Gabrielle,  into  which  he  had  allowed 
himself  to  be  drawn,  he  had  no  such  qualms  in 
regard  to  her  uncle.  He  was  convinced  that,  as  Pascal 
had  said,  if  there  was  evil  work  on  foot,  de  Proballe 
would  be  concerned  in  it. 

That  such  a  man  should  be  found  established  at  Malin- 
court,  posing  as  the  true  friend  of  an  innocent  girl,  and 
regarded  by  her  as  an  honourable  and  confidential  ad- 
viser, was  in  itself  enough  to  rouse  suspicion. 

He  decided  at  once,  therefore,  to  fall  in  with  de  Pro- 
balle's  mood,  whatever  it  might  be,  and  to  lead  him  to 
talk  as  freely  as  he  would. 

"  Why  did  you  not  come  straight  to  Malincourt, 
Gerard,  or  at  any  rate  let  me  know  of  your  presence  in 
Morvaix,  that  I  might  have  word  with  you  ?  " 

"  If  I  was  doubtful  of  my  reception  by  Gabrielle,  can 
you  blame  me  ?  "  asked  Gerard  in  reply,  dropping  readily 
into  his  assumed  character. 

"  But  I  had  told  you  exactly  how  matters  were  with 
her." 

"  But  I  had  not  seen  her  with  my  own  eyes." 

"  Psh,  a  sentimental  fool's  reason,"  exclaimed  de  Pro- 
balle, contemptuously. 

"  Yet,  I  am  no  sentimental  fool,  monsieur." 

"  If  you  were  no  worse,  you  would  be  lucky.  Your 
kinsman,  Raouf,  in  Paris,  gave  me  your  history." 

"  He  may  have  lied,"  answered  Gerard,  calmly,  sup- 
pressing a  start  at  the  mention  of  the  name  and  the  coin- 

68 


AT    MALINCOURT  69 

cidence  it  suggested.  "  But  let  it  pass.  What  I  have  done, 
I  have  done.  If  it  comes  to  that,  Raouf  gave  me  no 
saintly  account  of  you." 

"  Paris  is  not  Morvaix,  and  what  I  do  there  or  here  is 
no  concern  of  yours  or  his,"  was  the  curt,  half  angry  reply. 

Gerard  laughed.  "  As  I  said,  Raouf  may  have  lied.  It 
is  of  no  account ;  but  I  cannot  see  that  in  choosing  my  own 
method  I  have  done  so  ill." 

De  Proballe  smiled  unpleasantly. 

"  You  played  boldly.  I  did  not  know  you  had  such 
courage — except  in  your  cups.  Yes,  you  have  made  a 
good  impression  on  Gabrielle;  but  have  none  the  less 
done  ill." 

"  In  what  way  ?  " 

"  In  saving  that  fool  to-day.  You  were  too  hasty.  You 
should  have  let  one  of  the  swords  find  his  heart,  and  then 
have  played  the  rescuer  of  Gabrielle.  The  men  wouldn't 
have  touched  you." 

"  Why  not  ?  "  asked  Gerard  quickly.    "  They  tried." 

**  Because  you  stood  between  them  and  Denys." 

"  Read  me  the  riddle." 

"  Denys  has  found  out  something  of  the  real  purpose 
of  this  marriage ;  how  much  I  know  not ;  and  his  silence 
is  necessary  to  our  success.  The  Duke  will  not  thank 
you." 

"  The  Duke !  "  exclaimed  Gerard  hastily,  bewildered  by 
this  unexpected  reference  to  the  Governor  in  connection 
with  the  marriage.  A  sudden  sharp  glance  from  his  com- 
panion warned  him  that  he  had  blundered,  so  he  forced 
a  laugh,  and  added:  "  The  Duke  should  label  his  men  if 
he  does  not  want  them  hurt." 

"  Are  you  a  fool  ? "  retorted  de  Proballe,  sharply. 
**  Had  you  come  straight  to  me,  this  would  have  been 
avoided.  I  tell  you  the  man  is  dangerous.  Is  not  that 
enough  ?  " 

"  No;  it  depends  on  how  much  he  knows." 


70  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  He  knows  that  you  are  here  to  marry  Gabrielle  and 
that  in  doing  so  you  are  merely  playing  catspaw ;  and 
he  suspects  the  real  purpose,  that  it  is  to  cover  the  Duke's 
plan  in  regard  to  her." 

"  Then  he  suspects  what  an  infernal  villain  Gerard  de 
Cobalt  must  be !  " 

"  He  is  not  alone  in  that  suspicion,"  was  de  Proballe's 
sneering  comment. 

"  True.  I  think  I'm  beginning  to  suspect  it  myself," 
answered  Gerard  drily. 

"If  you  were  anything  else,  you'd  be  little  use  to  us; 
so  let  us  have  no  cant  here." 

"  I  am  here  to  play  my  part,"  said  Gerard  smoothly, 
repressing  his  anger. 

"  It  is  a  part  many  a  better  man  would  gladly  play. 
You  will  have  wealth,  a  beautiful  wife,  a  high  position 
here,  and  a  pardon  for  that  Cambrai  affair.  Surely  all 
that  a  man  could  wish."  He  regarded  Gerard  with  a  sly 
covert  smile  as  he  reeled  off  these  advantages. 

Gerard's  face  was  as  impassive  as  that  of  a  statue, 
while  his  thoughts  were  busy  seeking  the  real  meaning 
beneath  the  words.  He  paused  a  moment,  and  then  an- 
swered in  a  level  tone — 

"  True,  but  you  omit  the  price  I  have  to  pay." 

"  Price,"  cried  de  Proballe,  with  another  sneer. 
"  Price !  Honour  rather,  you  mean.  The  Duke  de 
Rochelle  is  all  but  of  the  Royal  blood;  and  better  men 
than  you  will  ever  be  have  been  glad  to  pay  no  more  for 
their  careers  than  mere  marital  complaisance." 

"  By  God !  "  exclaimed  Gerard,  his  voice  vibrating  with 
feeling  as  he  realized  now  the  full  infamy  of  the  plot  and 
the  degradation  of  the  part  cast  for  him ;  then  catching 
de  Proballe's  eyes  fixed  on  him,  he  forced  down  his  rage, 
and  said  coolly :  "  You  are  right,  monsieur ;  Gerard  de 
Cobalt  cannot  afford  to  be  particular.  He  has  that  pardon 
to  gain." 


AT    MALINCOURT  71 

"  Now  perhaps  you  understand  the  harm  you  did  in 
saving  that  meddler's  life." 

"  I  see  now  that  if  I  had  had  all  these  thoughts  in  my 
mind  I  would  have  acted  differently," 

*'  You  will  see  the  Duke  to-day,  and  will  find  him  in 
a  gracious  mood." 

**  It  is  not  the  reputation  he  bears.  They  call  him  the 
Tiger,  I  hear." 

"  His  wiemies  do ;  those  who  seek  to  thwart  him.  He 
saw  Gabrielle  to-day,  and  what  passed  between  them 
pleased  him  greatly.  She  urged  him  to  relax  the  rigour 
of  his  rule  here ;  and  he  half  consented.  His  plan  is  that 
he  and  she  shall  take  frequent  counsel  together  for  the 
government  of  the  people — when  she  is  your  wife.  He 
will  thus  see  much  of  her  in  many  a  private  conference, 
and  the  people  will  have  cause  to  bless  her  name  for  her 
good  influence.  Some  of  the  blessings  may  come  your 
way,  Gerard,  for  the  good  change  will  date  from  the 
time  of  your  marriage.  You  will  be  a  popular  man  in 
Morvaix."  He  ended  with  another  of  his  dry  cynical 
laughs,  and  looked  for  his  companion  to  join  in. 

But  Gerard  was  too  deeply  moved  even  to  simulate 
laughter. 

"  There  is  yet  one  thing  that  perplexes  me — has  per- 
plexed me  from  the  first.  What  is  your  part  in  this? 
Raouf  did  not  paint  you  exactly  as  a  type  of  self-denial, 
willing  to  stand  aloof  when  others  were  reaping  rich 
gains." 

"  My  plans,  like  my  reasons,  are  my  own,"  returned  de 
Proballe,  with  a  frown.  "  You  shall  know  them  all  in 
time." 

"  As  you  please.  It  is  enough  for  me  to  know  that  you 
have  them.  And  I  have  enough  on  my  side  to  keep  my 
wits  busy." 

"  Had  you  but  let  the  Governor's  men  work  their  way 
with  that  St.  Jean  all  would  have  been  well ;  but  I  scent 


72  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

danger  there.  Some  other  means  of  silencing  him  must 
be  found.  For  your  part  you  have  but  to  push  your  suit 
with  Gabrielle  with  all  speed,  and  hasten  on  the  marriage. 
In  that,  the  success  you  have  gained  to-day  will  help 
you.  Your  act  yesterday  in  the  market  place  almost 
turned  her  head ;  at  any  rate,  it  went  to  her  heart.  But 
now,  tell  me  of  yourself,  something  of  the  story  of  your 
life.  She  will  surely  question  you,  and  you  must  have  a 
gallant  tale  to  tell." 

"  My  past,  like  your  reasons,  is  my  own.  Should  she 
question  me  I  shall  know  how  to  answer." 

"  From  whence  came  you  here,  and  how  ?  " 

"  That  I  am  here  may  suffice.  I  have  come  to  do  my 
task;  and  believe  me  I  shall  not  fail  to  satisfy  even  the 
Duke  himself  of  my  thoroughness." 

"  You  can  be  close-lipped,  it  seems,"  said  de  Proballe, 
irritably. 

"  No  bad  quality  surely,  when  such  work  as  mine  has 
to  be  done." 

"  If  you  will  not  talk  then,  let  us  go  into  the  house. 
You  will  of  course  bide  at  Malincourt.  Have  you  a 
servant  and  apparel  suited  to  your  new  position  ?  You  are 
but  indifferently  clad  now." 

"  I  am  but  a  courier  of  fortune ;  but  I  have  a  servant, 
and  can  provide  for  all  the  needs  of  even  my  high  position 
at  Malincourt." 

"  You  are  a  strange  fellow,  Gerard,  and  altogether  un- 
like what  your  letters  had  led  me  to  expect.  But  take 
your  own  way." 

"  I  have  done  that  always,  and  shall  not  change  even 
in  Malincourt.  I  have  a  matter  that  calls  me  to  the 
town,  and  will  return  to  the  maison  within  an  hour  or 
so,  by  your  leave,"  and  without  another  word  he  turned 
and  walked  away,  leaving  de  Proballe  staring  after  him 
in  high  dudgeon  at  his  unexpected  independence. 

Gerard  plunged  along  at  a  quick  pace,  his  brows  pent 


AT    MALINCOURT  73 

and  frowning  as  he  thought  over  the  extraordinary  situ- 
ation in  which  he  found  himself  involved.  He  made  his 
decision  with  characteristic  promptitude.  He  would  re- 
turn to  Malincourt  to  see  the  thing  through,  to  watch 
over  Gabrielle,  and  to  play  out  the  part  for  which  he  had 
been  thus  unexpectedly  cast. 

There  was  no  thought  now  of  undeceiving  her  as  to 
his  real  character.  That  was  now  out  of  the  question, 
impossible,  for  a  time  at  least,  for  her  own  sake  no  less 
than  for  his  own. 

The  explanation  need  not  be  long  delayed.  Once  let 
him  get  the  proofs  of  the  Governor's  connivance  at  the 
scheme — and  these  he  hoped  to  get  in  the  interview  which 
de  Proballe  said  was  to  take  place  at  once — and  he  would 
strike  the  power  from  the  Governor's  hands  by  virtue  of 
the  authority  which  his  father,  the  Duke  of  Bourbon,  as 
Suzerain  of  the  province,  had  conferred  upon  him. 

But  the  proofs  must  be  very  clear.  The  times  were 
such  that  too  close  a  scrutiny  was  not  likely  to  be  made 
into  the  private  lives  of  those  holding  authority.  The 
man  who  ruled  his  province  in  such  a  way  as  to  relieve 
those  above  him  of  trouble,  and  who  was  always  to  be 
relied  on  to  find  troops  should  they  be  needed,  could 
make  sure  of  wide  tolerance  in  any  matters  of  his  private 
life. 

Moreover,  the  Duke  de  Rochelle  was  connected  with 
the  blood  royal ;  he  could  count  therefore  upon  high 
patronage  and  help ;  and  there  were  in  this  connection 
many  reasons  why  Gerard  must  walk  warily.  There  had 
been  trouble  between  the  House  of  Bourbon  and  the 
throne ;  and  the  King  and  his  advisers  would  welcome 
only  too  gladly  any  pretext  to  step  in  and  wrest  this  last 
lingering  remnant  of  Bourbon  suzerainty  from  the  once 
all-powerful  family. 

Gerard  felt  all  the  responsibility  that  rested  on  him; 
and  it  was  in  this  respect  that  de  Proballe's  last  words 


74  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

were  of  such  importance.  The  Governor  was  betraying 
himself  by  mixing  up  a  personal  intrigue  with  the  work 
of  Government.  Not  content  with  having  misgoverned 
the  people  and  overtaxed  them  to  the  verge  of  revolt — 
offences  which  might  have  been  overlooked  in  view  of  the 
powerful  force  of  soldiery  he  had  raised  and  trained — he 
was  now  contemplating  a  complete  reversal  of  policy  in 
order  to  please  Gabrielle  for  his  own  evil  personal  ends. 

Here  was  Gerard's  chance,  and  he  was  quick  to  see 
it  and  to  determine  to  use  it.  He  would  continue  the  acted 
lie  of  his  false  character  until  he  had  secured  from  the 
Governor  himself  an  admission  of  his  real  purpose,  or  had 
found  other  incontestable  proof  of  it — de  Proballe's  word 
being  less  than  valueless ;  and  the  moment  he  was  satisfied 
he  would  strike. 

To  this  end  he  sought  out  the  young  officer,  Pascal, 
a  close  intimate  friend,  told  him  much  of  what  he  had 
learned,  and  prevailed  on  him  to  doff  the  monk's  cowl 
and  assume  the  character  of  his  servant  at  Malincourt 
during  the  few  hours  or  days  he  might  have  to  remain 
there. 

Pascal,  to  whom  devilment  in  any  form  was  welcome 
enough,  entered  readily  into  the  spirit  of  the  adventure, 
and  agreed  instantly.  Together  they  obtained  such  ap- 
parel as  was  necessary,  and  returned  to  Malincourt  to- 
gether. 

"  I  hope  the  old  rat,  de  Proballe,  won't  recognize  me," 
said  Pascal.  "  I  once  won  some  three  hundred  crowns 
from  him,  and  they  say  he  never  forgets  a  man  who  has 
beaten  him  with  the  dice  box," 

"  I  am  full  of  anxiety  over  this,  Pascal ;  for  Heaven's 
sake  avoid  every  chance  of  a  mishap,"  replied  Gerard 
earnestly. 

"  I'll  keep  out  of  his  way.  Have  no  fear  for  me.  Lest 
lie  should  know  my  voice,  I'll  play  the  dumb  man," 

"  No,  no,  not  that.    No  buffoonery,  on  any  account." 


AT    MALINCOURT  75 

"  Well,  then,  you  can  say  I  have  taken  a  vow  of 
silence  on  account  of  the  past  trippings  of  my  tongue. 
The  reason  would  be  true  enough." 

"  There  is  need  for  nothing  of  the  kind.  Keep  in 
the  background  with  your  eyes  and  ears  open  and  your 
lips  closed  ;  shun  the  women  as  you  would  the  plague,  and 
all  will  be  well.    Especially,  shun  the  women." 

The  handsome  young  fellow  laughed. 

"  I'll  shun  them,  if  they  be  not  too  pretty ;  but  there 
are  limits,  Gerard.  I  haven't  touched  a  pair  of  lips  since 
I've  been  in  the  city ;  although  I  must  say  a  monk's  cowl 
gives  rare  opportunities.  Were  I  not  a  soldier,  on  my 
faith  I  think  I'd  be  a  monk." 

Gerard  was  received  at  the  maison  with  such  ceremony 
as  became  a  person  of  his  consequence.  Gabrielle  and 
her  uncle  greeted  him:  Gabrielle  with  such  smiles  and 
gladness  that  Pascal  ceased  to  wonder  at  his  enthusiasm 
for  his  new  role ;  and  de  Proballe  with  many  significant 
shrugs  and  looks  and  equivocal  phrases.  The  rest  hailed 
him  as  the  chosen  husband  of  their  beloved  mistress ;  and 
the  story  of  his  bravery  and  prowess  in  the  rescue  of 
Denys  having  spread,  they  welcomed  him  with  acclama- 
tion. 

Pascal,  as  their  new  lord's  servant,  would  also  have 
been  made  much  of ;  and  seeing  many  ruddy  lips  and 
bright  eyes  among  the  women,  he  would  gladly  enough 
have  responded  had  not  Gerard's  injunctions  of  caution 
been  still  strong  upon  him.  He  feigned  fatigue,  there- 
fore, and  asked  to  be  shown  at  once  to  Gerard's  apart- 
ments ;  and  going  there,  he  at  once  fell  into  much  deeper 
waters  than  any  which  could  have  threatened  him  in  any 
other  part  of  the  house. 

The  apartments  were  close  to  the  room  where  Denys 
lay  with  Lucette  in  attendance.  Denys  was  better;  but 
when  he  had  been  told  that  his  preserver  was  no  other 
than  Gerard   de   Cobalt,  he  had  taken  the  news  very 


76  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

strangely  and  had  broken  out  into  a  torrent  of  abuse  of 
him.  Then  he  had  gone  on  to  tell  Lucette  things  which, 
added  to  what  she  had  heard  from  Jacques  Dauban  on 
the  previous  evening,  had  frightened  her  profoundly. 

But  this  sudden  violent  passion  so  weakened  Denys 
that  a  relapse  followed ;  and  thus  Lucette  had  been  left 
with  a  half-told  tale  which  he  had  conjured  her  to  carry 
to  Gabrielle  at  once.  She  was  at  her  wits'  end  what  to 
do,  and  when  she  heard  that  Gerard  had  arrived  and  was 
to  be  lodged  in  rooms  adjoining,  she  found  occasion  to 
loiter  about  until  she  encountered  Pascal. 

Her  pretty  face  and  distracted  looks  went  straight  to 
his  sympathies,  and  when  of  her  own  motion  she  spoke 
to  him,  he  soon  forgot  all  about  Gerard's  counsel. 

"You  are  here  with  M.  de  Cobalt,  monsieur?"  she 
said. 

"  Certainly,  mademoiselle,  as  certainly  as  that  you  are 
here  with  some  trouble  of  another  kind  than  a  captious 
master.  Although  trouble  may  be  a  master  of  any  of 
us  for  that  matter." 

Lucette  was  watching  him,  and  found  him  good  to 
look  upon.  Handsome,  frank-faced  and  clear-eyed,  with 
the  stamp  of  truth. 

"You,  too,  are  a  soldier,  monsieur?" 

"  When  I  am  not  anything  else,  mademoiselle.  But  in 
times  like  these  a  man  plays  many  parts."  She  has 
handsome  eyes,  and  knows  how  to  use  them,  was  his 
thought. 

"  You  have  been  long  with  M.  de  Cobalt,  no  doubt  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  mademoiselle,"  was  his  unexpected 
reply,  given  with  an  engaging  smile. 

He  has  a  dangerous  smile,  this  servant,  and  speaks 
with  an  air,  said  Lucette  to  herself. 

She  is  going  to  try  and  pump  me,  was  Pascal's  un- 
spoken warning  to  himself. 

"  Don't  know,  monsieur !    How  can  that  be? " 


AT    MALINCOURT  77 

"  It  depends  upon  what  we  reckon  long ;  whether  by- 
lapse  of  time — weeks,  months,  years — or  by  the  events 
which  have  occurred,  A  man  may  know  a  maiden  for 
years  until  he  marry  her,  and  then  find  that  he  has  never 
known  her  at  all." 

"  Ah,  you  are  a  wit." 

"  What  I  am  I  myself  know  not ;  but  I  know  what  I 
am  not — and  I  am  not  a  stream  in  which  people,  even 
pretty  maids,  can  fish  with  a  chance  of  catching  much." 

"  There  is  another  thing  you  are  not,  monsieur,"  re- 
torted Lucette,  smiling. 

"  There  are  many.  I  am  not  my  master's  diary,  for 
others  to  read,"  he  answered  with  a  laugh  and  a  shake 
of  the  head. 

"  Neither  are  you  a  servant,  monsieur,  unless  you  wear 
your  master's  jewels  on  your  fingers." 

"  By  my  shroud,  but  you  have  keen  eyes  as  well  as 
pretty  ones ;  but  even  sharp  eyes  may  lead  one  astray. 
I  wear  this  jewel  by  my  master's  whim,"  he  replied  un- 
abashed. 

"  May  I  see  it  closer  ?  " 

"  Why  not — 'tis  but  a  paste,"  and  he  held  it  up. 

"  You  take  great  care  of  your  hands,  monsieur,  for  a 
serving  soldier  man,"  was  her  comment,  so  unexpected 
that  Pascal  started  and  laughed. 

"  Do  you  think  I  do  hard  work  ?  "  he  asked,  shrugging 
his  shoulders. 

"  Your  clothes,  too,  are  new  and  ill-fitting — they  fit 
you  so  ill,  indeed,  that  I  would  swear  you  have  never 
worn  the  like  before." 

"  Count  not  the  misfit  to  me  for  my  sin,"  replied  Pascal 
gaily.  "  'Tis  that  of  the  rascal  who  made  them.  Yoa 
interest  me,  mademoiselle ;  may  I  ask  who  you  are  ?  " 

"  Your  voice,  your  manner,  your  tone,  the  very  bow  and 
air  with  which  you  asked  that  question,  everything  about 
you  belies  the  servant,  monsieur,"  continued  Lucette.    "  I 


78  A   COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

am  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt's  foster  sister  and  friend, 
Lucette  de  Boisdegarde ;  and  I  am  on  my  way  to  tell  her 
■of  this  discovery  of  mine  and  other  things.  You  bar  my 
path,  monsieur,"  she  said  with  dignity,  as  Pascal  in  some 
dismay  put  himself  before  her.  "  If  you  are  in  truth  a 
servant,  I  order  you  to  stand  aside;  if  you  are  a  gentle- 
anan,  I  ask  you." 

"  If  I  detain  you  a  moment,  it  is  only  to  assure  you  that 
Mdlle.  de  Malincourt  and  yourself  can  have  no  more 
faithful  friend  and  well-wisher  than  myself." 

"  Your  name,  monsieur?  " 

"  Pascal  de — Pascal  Tourelle,  at  your  service." 

She  was  quick  to  see  the  slip,  and  pressed  home  a 
thrust  at  once. 

"  On  your  honour  ?  " 

"  Pascal,  on  my  honour ;  Tourelle,  during  my  service 
with  my  master." 

She  smiled,  partly  at  the  evasion,  but  more  at  his  man- 
ner of  making  it. 

"  If  you  were  not  in  this  service  of  which  you  speak 
so  readily,  how  would  you  have  finished  that  sentence? 
Pascal  de — what  ?  " 

"  That  is  my  unhappy  secret,  mademoiselle ;  I  beg  your 
consideration,"  and  his  tone  suggested  a  melancholy 
trouble. 

But  Lucette  smiled. 

"  Had  you  been  a  servant  truly,  your  honour  would 
not  have  stayed  you  from  deceiving  me.  If  I  do  not  go 
now  to  mademoiselle,  will  you  tell  me  all  you  know  of 
this  M.  de  Cobalt?" 

"  I  will  tell  you  this,  on  my  honour,  and  your  honour 
will  prevent  your  asking  more,"  he  answered  after  a 
moment's  consideration.  "  A  braver  soldier,  a  more 
lionourable  knight,  a  more  gallant  gentleman,  never  trod 
this  earth  than  he  in  whose  service  you  now  find  me." 

She  looked  at  him  searchingly,  and  believed  him.    But 


AT   MALINCOURT  7^ 

this  very  belief  only  sufficed  to  perplex  her  the  more  after 
Denys'  story. 

"  One  question  more  I  must  put.  Do  you  know  if  he- 
was  ever  at  Cambrai  ?  Do  not  answer  against  your  will^ 
nor  if  you  cannot  speak  truly  on  your  honour." 

"  I  can  answer  that,  frankly.  I  have  known  him  many 
years,  and  can  say  that  until  within  the  last  few  days, 
never.    We  passed  through  the  place  in  coming  here." 

"  Then  is  the  puzzle  inscrutable !  "  exclaimed  Lucette. 
Denys  had  told  her  of  the  murder  at  Cambrai,  the  pardon 
for  which  was  part  of  the  price  to  be  paid  to  de  Cobalt,, 
and  had  spoken  of  a  letter  which  he  had  found  that  put 
the  thing  plainly.  He  had  been  in  the  act  of  telling  her 
where  the  paper  was  concealed,  that  she  might  get  it  and 
carry  it  to  Gabrielle,  when  the  relapse  had  prevented 
further  speech. 

"  I  know  not  what  to  do,"  she  cried,  in  sore  perplexity 
and  distress.  "  If  I  trust  you,  others  are  sadly  misled. 
And  yet  I  believe  you  have  not  deceived  me." 

"  On  my  honour  I  have  spoken  no  more  than  the 
truth,"  said  Pascal  earnestly.  He  was  as  much  puzzled 
as  Lucette  herself.  "If  you  would  deal  with  me  frankly^ 
and  say " 

"  I  cannot ;  I  cannot,"  she  broke  in  excitedly. 

"Then  may  I  suggest  you  speak  to  M.  de  Cobalt?'* 

"  You  know  not  what  you  say.  But  the  matter  must 
be  probed  to  the  bottom  ;  "  and  afraid  to  say  more  she  left 
him  and  hurried  back  to  Denys'  bedside. 

Pascal  looked  after  her,  nodded  once  or  twice  in  answer 
to  his  thoughts,  and  then,  with  a  quizzical  smile,  mut- 
tered, as  he  turned  back  to  his  room — 

"  Now  is  the  devil  about  to  claim  some  of  his  dues 
for  this  mad  business.  I  must  find  Gerard  and  tell 
him." 

They  had  scarcely  parted  when  the  face  of  the  spy 
Jacques  Dauban  peeped  cautiously  round  an  angle  of  the 


to         A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

wall.  Seeing  the  way  was  clear  he  came  on  with 
stealthy  noiseless  tread,  chuckling  slyly  to  himself  as  he 
rubbed  his  hands  together.  He  paused  just  a  moment  to 
listen  at  the  door  through  which  Pascal  had  gone,  and 
then  passed  on  toward  the  room  where  Denys  lay. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE   PLOT   THICKENS 

MEANWHILE  Gerard  himself,  without  any  help 
from  Pascal's  misadventure,  was  finding  enough 
embarrassments  to  tax  his  wit  and  resource- 
fulness. 

De  Proballe,  anxious  that  Gerard  should  have  the 
fullest  opportunities  to  push  his  suit  with  Gabrielle,  soon 
made  an  excuse  to  leave  them  together.  He  pleaded  that 
he  must  send  to  the  Governor  to  arrange  for  the  inter- 
view between  him  and  Gerard,  and  left  them — a  move 
that  was  not  without  its  embarrassment  to  Gerard,  since 
Gabrielle  promptly  took  advantage  of  it  to  carry  the  con- 
versation back  to  the  point  where  it  had  been  interrupted 
in  the  gardens. 

"  Yon  have  something  important  to  tell  me,  Gerard,  I 
know.  You  were  about  to  tell  me  when  my  uncle  came 
to  us.  But  first,  I  have  to  make  a  confession  and  to  ask 
your  pardon." 

"  I  am  no  priest,  I  fear,"  he  said,  meeting  her  smiling 
gaze. 

"  But  this  is  a  wrong  done  to  you.  When  I  was  think- 
ing over  all  we  said  to-day — and  I  have  thought  of  noth- 
ing else  since — I  remembered  to  my  shame,  that  I  had 
never  given  you  even  a  word  of  thanks  for  your  help  yes- 
terday, and  again  to-day." 

*'  Please  say  nothing  of  it." 

"  Oh,  but  you  must  have  thought  me  a  very  miser  of 
my  gratitude.  And  I  am  not  that.  Indeed,  indeed,  I  do 
thank  you  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,"  she  cried, 
warmly,  her  eyes  on  his  face. 

8i 


82  A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

"  Do  you  think  I  need  more  reward  than  the 
knowledge  that  it  was  you  whom  I  could  help  ?  When  I 
saw  you  yesterday,  my  heart  leapt,  and  I  vowed " 

"Well?"  she  asked,  as  he  paused;  and  when  he  still 
hesitated,  checked  by  the  thought  that  he  had  no  right 
to  speak  thus  while  the  truth  of  his  position  was  still 
unexplained,  she  added,  with  a  little  frown  and  a  very 
winsome  smile,  "you  break  off  at  most  irritating  points, 
cousin." 

"  I  vowed  myself  to  your  service  for  good  or  ill,"  he 
said  deliberately. 

"  Take  care  what  you  say,  cousin.  Did  you  know  who 
I  was?" 

"  Not  then,  indeed." 

"  Then  was  that  surely  a  most  dangerous  vow." 

"How?" 

She  laughed  merrily.  "  Supposing  it  had  not  been 
Gabrielle  to  whom  you  thus  rashly  vowed  yourself ;  what 
would  you  have  done  ?  " 

"  I  had  not  thought  of  it.  No  other  woman  would  have 
drawn  such  a  vow  from  me." 

"  You  turn  words  well — so  well  that  I  could  almost  be 
afraid  of  your  skill.  Shall  we  go  out  on  the  terrace  ?  The 
evening  air  is  lovely.  Tell  me,"  she  said,  as  they  walked, 
"  how  came  you  to  be  playing  trespasser  so  opportunely 
to-day  in  Malincourt.    It  has  puzzled  me." 

"  If  I  tell  the  truth,  I  was  lurking  in  the  wood,  hoping 
to  catch  a  sight  of  you  again." 

"  You  had  learnt  who  this  lady  of  your  vow  was  by 
that  time,  then?" 

"  Else  I  had  not  been  in  Malincourt,"  he  answered, 
without  thinking. 

She  glanced  at  him  quickly,  her  face  wrinkled  with 
this  fresh  puzzle. 

"  Is  not  that  a  worse  puzzle?  "  she  asked.  "  Knowing 
who  I  was,  why  not  have  come  straight  to  the  maison  ?  " 


THE    PLOT   THICKENS  83 

*'  Of  course,  I  might  have  done  so,"  he  replied.  He 
saw  the  slip  then  clearly  enough,  and  tried  to  cover  it  with 
a  laugh.    "  Perhaps  I  ought  to  have  come." 

"  But  you  did  not.  Why  ?  I  do  not  mind  that  you  did 
not,  but  why  should  you  choose  so  strange  a  course  ?  " 

"  What  answer  can  I  give,  save  it  was  a  whim?  " 

"  You  would  have  seen  me  sooner  had  you  come  and 
would  not  have  been  one  whit  less  welcome ;  and  would 
in  truth  have  saved  me  some  hours  of  anxiety.  Do  you 
know  that,  yesterday,  I  sent  high  and  low  in  search  of 
you ;  and  only  this  morning  my  poor  Denys  went  riding 
out  to  Beaucamp  on  a  veritable  wild-goose  chase  to  find 
you?" 

Gerard  smiled.  "  Did  you  at  the  time  know  who  I 
was  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Should  I  have  sent  away  from  Morvaix  to  find  you, 
had  I  known  ?  " 

"  Then  you,  too,  were  not  without  interest  in  a 
stranger  ?  " 

"  It  is  not  a  fair  hit,"  she  laughed.  "  I  would  not  have 
had  even  a  stranger  think  me  an  ingrate  for  such 
service." 

"  Then  it  was  merely  to  thank  me,  you  wished." 

"  Gerard !  "  and  she  let  her  eyes  drop  to  the  ground. 

"  I  should  like  to  think  that  before  you  heard  my  name 

to-day,  you "     He  commenced  in  great  earnestness, 

but  checked  himself  again. 

"  Some  day  I  will  tell  you,"  she  replied  in  a  low  tone, 
after  a  pause ;  and  then,  in  a  tone  as  low,  he  asked — 

"  And  what  if  I  had  been  other  than  Gerard  de 
Cobah?" 

"  Thank  God,  it  was  not  so,"  she  cried,  with  a  little 
shiver  and  a  sigh. 

"Why,  Gabrielle?"  He  had  his  own  strong  reason 
for  pressing  the  question. 

For  a  time  she  kept  her  head  bowed  and  remained 


84  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

silent ;  but  then  raising  her  eyes  to  him  frankly  and  trust- 
fully she  said — 

"  I  think  I  should  like  to  tell  you.  You  will  not  think 
shame  of  me.  I  fear  I  could  never  have  been  Gerard  de 
Cobalt's  wife.  All  night  I  wrestled  with  the  problem, 
and  prayed  fervently  for  strength  to  do  my  duty,  and 
keep  the  pledge  made  for  me  by  my  parents.  But  when 
I  knew  Gerard  de  Cobalt  would  come  to-day,  I  dreaded 
to  meet  him.  Can  you  not  guess  why  ?  "  She  was  all 
blushes  and  sweetness  as  the  faltered  confession  dropped 
from  her  lips. 

"  You  cannot  think  what  this  means  to  me,"  he  an- 
swered with  passion.  "  But  some  day  you  will  under- 
stand." 

"  Why  not  now,  Gerard  ?  I  have  betrayed  all  my  little 
secret — little,  do  I  say — if  you  but  knew  how  great,  how 
all  in  all  it  is  to  me !  I  have  shown  you  all  my  heart," 
she  whispered. 

They  were  leaning  on  the  marble  balustrade,  gazing 
over  the  lovely  gardens  which  the  risen  moon  was  silver- 
ing with  her  glory. 

"  Why  not  now,  Gerard  ?  "  she  repeated,  after  a  long 
pause,  with  sweet,  gentle  insistence.  "  What  need  of 
secrets  between  us  two  ?  " 

He  longed  to  respond  to  this  frank  confession  of  her 
feelings  by  telling  her  everything;  and  the  impulse  to 
speak  was  only  curbed  with  great  effort.  But  prudence 
stayed  him,  and  the  fear  of  unknown  consequences  which 
might  imperil  everything  by  forcing  a  disclosure  to  de 
Proballe. 

"  We  will  have  no  secrets  one  from  the  other,  Gabri- 
elle,  when  once  this  matter  in  my  thoughts  has  been 
cleared  up,"  he  said,  his  reluctance  to  refuse  her  plea  caus- 
ing him  to  speak  with  hesitation. 

"  Is  it  the  same  of  which  you  spoke  to-day  so 
strangely  ?  " 


THE    PLOT    THICKENS  85 

"  The  same,  yes." 

"  But  you  were  going  to  tell  me — then."  Her  pause 
before  the  word,  and  emphasis  in  speaking  it,  did  not 
escape  him.  But  even  the  subtle  temptation  impHed  in 
the  sweet  accent  did  not  prevail. 

"  Yes,  I  was  going  to  tell  you.  If  I  do  not,  you  trust 
me?" 

"  Gerard,  of  course.  I  should  trust  you  always.  But 
— I  am  only  a  woman,  and — curious,"  she  added,  with  a 
tender  smile  of  reproachful  invitation. 

"  And  if  I  assure  you  it  is  for  your  own  sake  that  I  hold 
this  back,  you  will  bear  with  me  ?  " 

"  For  my  sake  ?  Now  in  truth  you  increase  my  per- 
plexity, and  do  but  whet  my  appetite.  How  can  it  be 
for  my  sake?  You  said  to-day  that  it  concerned  the  very 
purpose  of  your  coming  here ;  and  when  I  spoke  of  that 
purpose  as  I  knew  it — our  marriage,  Gerard — you  started 
back  as  if  in  alarm  or  overwhelming  surprise.  You 
pained  me  so  that  I  was  leaving  you  in  anger." 

"  The  pain  was  greater  on  my  side  than  yours,  Gabri- 
elle." 

"  And  then  you  suggested  you  had  been  led  to  de- 
ceive me  in  some  strange  way :  I  should  not  believe  that, 
indeed ;  and,  as  if  impelled  by  some  sudden  thought,  you 
were  about  to  tell  me  everything.  And  then  my  uncle 
came,  and  you  whispered  hurriedly  that  what  you  had 
to  say  was  for  my  ears  alone.  Are  we  not  alone  now  ?  " 
5he  asked  with  witching  pressure ;  and  she  smiled  ten- 
derly, as  she  added :  "  You  see  I  remember  every  word 
you  said.  Indeed,  I  could  never  forget  them ;  but  I  cannot 
understand";  and  she  shook  her  head  as  if  the  puzzle 
were  all  beyond  her  solving. 

"  If  you  but  trust  me,  what  else  can  matter?  *'  he  an- 
swered, at  a  loss  how  to  meet  her. 

"  Nothing,  nothing  now,"  she  cried  joyfully,  moving- 
a  little  closer  to  him  so  that  her  shoulder  was  against  his. 


86  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Chide  me  if  I  seem  too  persistent,  I  have  had  so  much 
of  my  own  way  in  my  life  that  I  must  be  getting  self- 
willed,  I  think.  But  don't  make  the  chiding  too  harsh, 
Gerard.  And  do  not  keep  me  too  long  with  this  secret 
between  us;  I  think  I  shall  grow  jealous  of  it.  And — 
another  condition,"  she  laughed :  "  Do  not  tell  any  one 
before  you  tell  me.     I  could  not  bear  that." 

"  You  are  even  harder  to  resist  when  you  yield,  Gabri- 
elle,  than  when  you  plead,  I  fear." 

"  Am  I  ?  Then  I  will  yield  that  I  may  plead.  But  I 
will  wait  your  time.  Of  course  I  will.  It  is  such  delight 
to  me  to  find  you  what  you  are,  that  all  else  is  nothing. 
Besides,  it  is  the  first  request  you  have  made  to  me,  and 
I  should  be  a  churl  to  refuse  it.  I  did  not  think  of  that, 
and  could  be  angry  with  myself  for  having  forgotten 
it.  I  would  not  hear  you  now,  if  you  were  to  offer  to  tell 
me."  Her  laugh  at  this  was  as  that  of  a  child  in  its  pure 
delight. 

"  I  am  almost  constrained  to  tempt  you,"  he  said, 
laughing  in  his  turn. 

"  Nay,  I  have  put  my  curiosity  away — about  that,  but 
I  have  plenty  left  about  you  and  your  life  and  all  you 
have  done  to  change  you  from  that  boy  Gerard  whom  I 
knew." 

"  I  am  very  different  from  him,  I  trust.  I  have  been 
a  soldier  since  the  time  I  was  big  enough  to  shoulder  a 
musket." 

"  And  have  fought  ?  Tell  me,  tell  me.  Where  and 
with  whom  ?  I  love  to  hear  of  brave  deeds.  I  am  a  sol- 
dier's daughter,  you  know." 

"  I  have  been  a  courier  of  fortune,  as  all  younger  sons 
must  be,  and  have  carried  arms  under  the  Bourbons." 

"  We  Malincourts,  too,  claim  to  be  of  the  Bourbon 
blood ;  but — how  do  you  mean — a  younger  son  ?  I  had 
not  heard  you  had  ever  a  brother,  Gerard." 

"  All    soldiers    have    brothers-in-arms,"    he    replied. 


THE    PLOT    THICKENS  87 

hastily,  and  with  some  confusion.  "  I  have  had  my  own 
way  to  push — to  prove  that  I  was  worthy  to  lead." 

"  Yes,  yes.  And  you  have  proved  that  long  since,  I 
am  confident.  But  tell  me  of  the  fighting.  Oh,  I  would 
that  I  had  been  a  man  to  bear  my  part  as  a  soldier !  " 

"  That  had  been  hard  on  me,  Gabrielle." 

"  True  enough,  too.  And  for  that  I  am  glad  I  am 
only  a  woman,"she  said,  gently,  nestling  yet  closer  to  him. 
And  having  thus  led  her  on  to  the  safe  topic  of  his 
career  as  a  soldier,  he  told  her  many  of  his  experiences. 
She  listened  eagerly  to  his  story,  hanging  on  his  words  in 
rare  delight,  until  he  broke  off,  remembering  that  he  was 
to  see  the  Governor  that  night. 

"  I  am  forgetting — I  could  forget  all  in  your  company. 
But  M.  de  Proballe  has  arranged  that  I  see  the  Duke  to- 
night.    I  had  best  seek  him." 

"  You  must  be  careful  with  the  Governor,  Gerard." 

"Why?    I  do  not  fear  him." 

"  He  is  all  powerful  here  in  Morvaix.  You  saw  what 
passed  in  the  market  place  yesterday.  He  is  a  man  of 
iron." 

"  Yet  what  harm  can  he  do  me  ?  " 

"  He  is  bad  to  the  heart's  core.  His  wife  is  my  one 
intimate  friend  in  Morvaix,  an  honourable.  God-fearing 
woman,  who  has  suffered  unspeakable  sorrows  at  his 
hands  in  her  Hfe.  She  is  now  bed-ridden,  poor  soul ;  and 
we  have  spoken  freely  together  of  the  Duke." 

"  He  is  a  tyrant — that  I  have  learnt." 

"  And  many  worse  things,  I  fear.  I  would  not  will- 
ingly speak  ill  of  any  man,  but  to  you  I  should  speak 
freely.  He  has  but  too  well  merited  the  term  men  give 
him — the  Tiger  of  Morvaix.  Could  the  grim  walls  and 
torture  chambers  of  his  castle  bear  witness  against  him, 
fearsome  truths  indeed  would  come  to  light." 

"  Tell  me  of  them." 

"  Nay,  not  to-night.     To-night  we  will  not  speak  of 


88  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

Morvaix  horrors ;  rather  let  us  hope  that  from  to-night, 
from  your  coming,  Gerard,  better  times  will  dawn  for 
the  city  and  the  unfortunate  citizens.  The  Duke  is  a 
hard,  harsh,  cruel  man,  who  tolerates  but  one  principle 
of  rule:  blind  implicit  obedience  to  his  will,  to  be  en- 
forced by  any  measure  of  cruelty,  however  violent  and 
harsh.  He  has  ground  down  the  people  until  the  yoke 
has  become  intolerable ;  and  yet  there  seems  no  remedy. 
I  sent  tidings  privately  to  the  Duke  of  Bourbon,  as 
Suzerain  of  the  province,  praying  him  to  come  or  send 
aid  to  us  before  the  people  should  be  driven  to  open  re- 
bellion. But  no  one  comes,  no  one  heeds ;  and  we  must 
work  out  our  own  rescue.  I  have  a  faint  hope  indeed, 
that  matters  will  mend." 

"How?" 

"  I  saw  the  Duke  to-day,  and  urged  him  to  relax  the 
severity  of  his  rule — to  take  off  this  last  cruel  impost  on 
the  people's  food,  for  one  thing;  and  he  half  promised, 
making  his  consent  contingent  on  some  sacrifice  from 
me.  God  knows  there  is  nothing  I  would  not  give  in  such 
a  cause.  I  would  strip  myself  of  all  my  possessions — even 
of  Malincourt  itself,  dearly  as  I  love  every  stone  of  the 
old  maison.  But  I  hold  the  welfare  of  the  people  dearer. 
He  would  not  name  the  condition,  however,  leaving  it  to 
me  to  do  so.    And  I  know  not  what  he  wishes." 

Gerard's  face  grew  dark  with  anger  as  he  listened, 
knowing  full  well  from  de  Proballe's  words  what  the 
condition  was. 

"  We  shall  together  find  the  means,  Gabrielle,"  he  said 
earnestly.  "  Mv  hand  and  oath  on  that ;  and  my  life  the 
forfeit  if  I  fail.'' 

"  You  will  help  me  in  this,"  she  cried,  joyfully  and 
eagerly.  "  Oh,  Gerard,  did  I  not  say  to-day  how  glad  I 
was  that  you  had  come !  What  great  issues  now  depend 
on  you.  With  you  to  help  me,  a  strong  man  at  Malin- 
court, to  oppose  the  castle ;  not  violently  I  mean,  but  with 


THE    PLOT    THICKENS  8^ 

the  strength  of  all  the  people's  sympathy  behind  us,  what 
may  we  not  achieve?  But  when  you  see  the  Duke,  be 
wary  of  him ;  give  him  no  cause  present  offence  that  we 
may  be  the  stronger  in  the  future." 

"  Does  any  one  but  you  know  that  you  sent  to  Bour- 
bon for  help  ?    Your  uncle,  for  instance  ?  " 

"  No.  I  told  no  one ;  not  even  him.  I  deemed  him  too> 
intimate  with  the  Governor.  He  would  not  wittingly 
betray  me,  I  know,  for  he  has  often  spoken  to  me  in  sor- 
row of  the  Duke's  government.  You  like  him,  Gerard?'* 

"  I  have  seen  but  little  of  him ;  but  I  have  indeed  found 
him  blunt  in  speaking  of  facts,"  was  the  cautious  reply,, 
drily  spoken. 

A  footstep  on  the  terrace  disturbed  them.  It  was 
Pascal. 

"  I  was  seeking  you,  monsieur,  to  know  if  you  have 
any  other  commands  for  me,"  he  said  aloud  in  a  re- 
spectful tone,  adding  in  a  whisper,  as  they  stood  apart: 
"  I  must  speak  to  you  at  once.  There's  a  devil  of  a 
mess." 

"  Wait  but  a  minute,"  whispered  Gerard ;  and  then 
aloud :  "  I  will  you  see  directly,  good  Pascal.  It  is  my 
faithful  fellow  in  some  trouble  about  me,  Gabrielle." 

"  Then  let  us  go  in.  Ah,  here  is  Lucette,"  she  added,, 
as  Lucette,  looking  very  troubled,  came  out  of  the  maison. 
"  How  is  Denys,  Lucette  ?  " 

"  He  was  better  for  some  time,  but  the  fever  seems 
to  have  come  back  upon  him.  The  surgeon  has  seen 
him  again,  and  given  him  a  potion,  and  he  is  now 
asleep." 

"  He  should  be  carefully  watched  all  night,  never  left 
for  a  moment,"  declared  Gerard  quickly,  remembering  de 
Proballe's  threatening  words.  "  You  will  see  to  this, 
mademoiselle." 

"  The  surgeon  says  he  will  sleep  until  the  morning, 
and  will  need  no  more  till  then,"  answered  Lucette. 


go  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  Let  him  be  watched.  At  need  I,  or  Pascal  here,  will 
remain  by  his  bedside." 

"  By  your  leave,  monsieur,  that  were  not  well ; "  and 
Lucette  spoke  so  sharply  that  all  looked  at  her. 

"What  mean  you,  Lucette?"  asked  Gabriclle. 

"  Denys  has,  for  causes  that  may  be  plain  afterward, 
conceived  a  violent  dislike  toward  Monsieur  de  Cobalt ; 
and  if  he  woke  and  found  him  by  the  bedside,  it  might 
be  very  ill  indeed." 

"  But  I  have  never  set  eyes  on  him  until  to-day, 
mademoiselle." 

"  It  is  probably  no  more  than  a  sick  man's  fancy,"  said 
Gabrielle. 

"  It  may  be  so ;  yet  it  is  very  strong  upon  him,  and  he 
talks  wildly  and  almost  at  random." 

"  I  fear  his  wound  is  more  serious  than  you  deemed, 
Gerard,"  declared  Gabrielle. 

"It  is  the  more  reason  for  what  I  have  urged — that 
he  be  watched  closely  and  never  left.  His  life  itself  may 
hang  upon  it." 

"  I  will  see  that  it  is  done,"  agreed  Gabrielle  readily. 

"  That  what  is  done  ?  "  It  was  de  Proballe  who  asked 
the  question,  coming  out  of  the  house  in  time  to  catch 
the  last  words. 

"  My  poor  Denys  is  very  ill,  it  seems,  uncle,  and  Gerard 
has  just  been  saying  that  he  should  be  watched  cease- 
lessly." 

"  Poor  fellow,"  he  replied  in  a  compassionate  tone ;  and 
then  with  an  upcast  glance  at  Gerard  he  asked :  "  And 
why  do  you  think  he  should  be  watched  so  closely  ?  " 

"  I  have  had  some  skill  in  sword-wounds,  monsieur, 
and  Mademoiselle  Lucette  here  says  he  has  been  talking 
wildly.  When  delirium  follows  such  a  wound  as  his  there 
is  every  need  for  care." 

It  was  an  adroit  answer,  for  it  satisfied  de  Proballe 
and  also  bore  out  what  he  had  said  before.    But  Locette's 


THE    PLOT   THICKENS  ^v 

eyes  were  very  keen,  and  knowing  all  she  did,  she  was 
watching  closely  enough  to  catch  de  Proballe's  glance  of 
meaning  as  he  answered — 

"  You  are  right  then,  Gerard.  I  will  see  to  this,  Gabri- 
elle.  Denys  is  too  good  a  fellow  for  us  to  run  any  risks 
with.  My  man,  Jacques  Dauban,  has  had  some  training 
in  surgery,  and  would  gladly  keep  such  a  vig^l." 

Lucette  bit  her  lip  and  cast  down  her  eyes. 

"  I  think  we  need  not  trouble  Master  Dauban  or  cause 
him  to  lose  a  night's  rest,"  she  said.  "  My  maid  and  I 
can  watch,  monsieur." 

"  Ever  kind  and  considerate,  Lucette,"  said  de  Pro- 
balle.    "  Well,  we  can  see  to  it,  as  Gabrielle  says.    And 
now,  Gerard,   I  have  a   word  for  your  ear  about  the- 
Governor.    He  cannot  receive  you  to-night." 

"  I  am  sorry ;  but  to-morrow  will  do  for  me." 

"  What    is    this   about  Denys  ? "   asked    de    Proballe,. 
eagerly,  when  Gabrielle  and  Lucette  had  left  them.    "  You 
should  not  have  urged  that  watching.    If  the  man  is  alive- 
to-morrow,  everything  may  be  ruined.    What  has  he  said 
to  Lucette  there  ?  " 

"  Indeed,  I  neither  know  nor  care." 

"  Are  you  mad  ?  " 

"  To-night,  perhaps  yes  ;  sanity  may  come  in  the  morn- 
ing. I  have  been  talking  long  and  earnestly  with  Gabri- 
elle, and  her  purity  and  innocence  may  have  maddened  me., 
If  that  be  so,  it  is  sweet  madness." 

"  Psh.  Spare  me  such  cant.  Would  you  ruin  every- 
thing? We  are  men  with  work  to  do,  not  fools  to  stuff 
our  minds  with  folly," 

"  Nor  villains  to  murder  sick  men.  If  harm  should 
come  to  Denys  I  should  never  forgive  myself — nor  you,., 
monsieur ;  and  I  should  hold  you  responsible." 

"  Then  you  do  not  wish  this  marriage  ?  " 

"  Not  if  the  path  to  it  be  cold-blooded  murder,  Monsieur- 
deProballe." 


^92  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Does  it  lie  in  your  mouth  to  speak  of  murder,  after 
Cambrai  ?  But  your  head  is  turned  because  you  find  your 
cousin  has  a  pretty  face ;  and  if  it  is  not  to  be  turned  next 
•on  the  headsman's  block,  you  will  cease  this  folly." 

"  So  it  was  held  to  be  murder  at  Cambrai  ?  " 

"  You  try  my  patience  beyond  endurance.  See  to  it 
that  you  have  more  reason  in  the  morning;  and  that 
you  may  find  it,  I  will  give  you  something  to  ponder  in  the 
night.  I  have  talked  with  the  Duke  to-night,  and  found 
him  with  another  plan  half-fledged  in  his  thoughts ;  and 
if  ever  it  gets  fuil-feathered  you  may  look  to  yourself," 

"  He  seems  a  man  quick  at  hatching  schemes.  I  fear 
neither  him  nor  them." 

"  Fool !  Do  you  dream  to  oppose  him  ?  He  is  now  half- 
minded  to  divorce  his  Duchess  and  make  Gabrielle  his 
wife.  He  finds  that  he  stands  higher  in  the  favour  of  the 
Cardinal  Archbishop  than  he  deemed ;  his  Eminence  has 
sent  him  a  hundred  fighting  men  for  his  army;  and  he 
now  thinks  he  can  secure  a  dispensation  to  put  away  his 
wife.  He  is  childless,  and  she  a  bed-ridden  invalid ;  and 
the  Church  might  not  willingly  see  so  noble  a  line  as  his 
extinct.  If  you  do  not  hurry  to  make  Gabrielle  your  wife, 
I  would  not  answer  for  your  head.  Ponder  that  to-night, 
,and  mouth  of  sweet  madness  in  the  morning,  if  you  have 
-any  mind  left  for  such  folly." 

Waiting  for  no  reply,  de  Proballe  turned  on  his  heel 
and  entered  the  house ;  and  as  Gerard  was  gazing  after 
him,  Pascal  approached  and  touched  him  on  the  arm. 

"  Of  all  the  diabolical  villains — What  is  it,  man  ?  "  he 
broke  off  impatiently. 

"  What's  the  use  of  wasting  breath  in  that  way  when 
there  are  things  to  be  done?  This  precious  maison  is  like 
a  nest  of  spies.  I've  been  found  out  for  an  impostor  by 
that  pretty  sharp-eyed  girl  whose  lover  lies  wounded  up- 
stairs ;  and  I  was  wondering  how  to  get  to  you  to  tell 
_j'OU  when  I  came  on  some  sneaking  whelp  of  a  man  with 


THE    PLOT   THICKENS  93:^ 

his  ear  jammed  to  the  door  of  the  chamber  where  she- 
was  watching." 

"  Did  you  break  his  head  for  him  ?  " 

"  Nearly ;  but  I  did  better.  I  played  spy  in  my  turn ; 
and  your  honest  man  can  beat  a  rogue  at  his  own  trade 
when  he  tries,  even  when  that  trade  is  spying.  Presently 
the  rascal  went  to  the  door  of  the  apartments  where  we 
are  to  lie,  and,  after  listening  and  waiting,  he  knocked, 
at  first  gently,  and  then  more  boldly,  and  finding  no  one 
within,  entered,  and  I  caught  him  ransacking  among  our 
baggage.  Holy  Peter!  but  he  cut  a  sorry  figure  when 
he  saw  me  peeping  round  the  door  at  him;  "  and  Pascal 
laughed. 

"  What  did  you  do?    I  hope  you  were  discreet," 

"  I  first  knocked  him  down  and  drubbed  him  soundly, . 
and  then  tied  him  up  with  a  roll  of  cloth  for  his  supper, 
and  locked  him  in  a  cupboard.  Then  I  came  for  you  that 
we  may  try  him  together." 

"Who  is  he?" 

"  I  gave  him  no  time  to  say.  But  come,  or  he  may  be 
smothered — for  Fm  a  novice  with  the  gag — and  in  that 
case  we  shall  get  nothing  out  of  him ;  which  would  be  a 
pity." 

"  It's  a  curious  turn,"  said  Gerard  uneasily,  as  they 
hurried  away  together. 


CHAPTER  IX 


WHAT   DENYS   KNEW 


PASCAL  was  all  laughter  and  sallies  as  he  led  the 
way  up  to  their  apartments,  but  Gerard  was  in 
no  such  mood.  He  was  very  serious  and  full  of 
misgivings  at  the  course  things  were  taking.  There  were 
more  than  enough  complications  in  the  position  already 
without  the  additional  embarrassment  of  the  bestowal  of 
a  prisoner. 

It  was  not  without  some  sense  of  relief,  therefore,  that 
he  saw  Pascal  start  as  he  entered  the  room,  and  heard 
him  exclaim  in  a  tone  of  dismay — 

"  The  sly  devil  has  wriggled  out,  Gerard.  By  my 
shroud,  I  had  not  deemed  it  possible.  I  put  him  in  there 
-and  shot  the  bolt  upon  him";  and  he  pointed  to  an 
empty  closet. 

"  Never  mind.  Perhaps  it  is  best  so,"  answered  Gerard 
with  a  smile.  "  An  honest  man  can't  always  beat  a  rogue 
at  his  own  trade,  it  seems." 

"  Aye,  laugh  away ;  but  he'll  not  laugh  if  ever  I  set 
eyes  on  him  again,  the  sneaking  mongrel." 

"  For  not  waiting  for  your  return,  you  mean  ?  He 
knows  his  business,  at  any  rate." 

"  Aye,  that's  certain ;  but  the  point  is  how  much  he 
knows  of  yours?  "  retorted  Pascal.  "  I'll  forgive  him  for 
knowing  his  own,  but  he  shall  pay  the  price  for  meddling 
in  mine.  Were  I  not  a  fool  I  had  mounted  g^ard  over 
him  and  waited  for  you  to  come  here." 

"  Are  you  sure  he  was  spying  upon  us  ?  " 

"  Am  I  sure  that  we  are  on  a  queer  quest  here  ?  Who 
-can  have  turned  him  on  to  such  a  scent  ?  " 

94 


WHAT    DENYS   KNEW  95: 

"  I  should  suspect  de  Proballe,  were  it  not  that  he 
knows  all  my  supposed  unsavoury  history  as  the  real  de 
Cobalt." 

"  He  has  no  suspicion  that  you  are  not  ?  " 

"  Not  that  I  can  think." 

"  Then  it  must  be  the  girl  who  questioned  me  and  said 
I  was  no  servant — Mdlle.  de  Boisdegarde,"  suggested 
Pascal,  with  a  shrewd  nod  of  the  head.  "  I  mind  me 
now.  Are  you  supposed  to  have  done  some  ugly  thing 
at  Cambrai  ?    She  questioned  me  on  the  point." 

"  Yes,  a  something  which  de  Proballe  spells  murder, 
and  for  which  I  am  to  be  pardoned." 

"  A  thousand  devils !  I  gave  her  my  word  of  honour 
you  had  never  been  there,  except  as  we  passed  through, 
the  place  on  our  way  here." 

"  How  can  she  have  got  wind  of  it  ? "  and  Gerard 
pursed  his  lips  thoughtfully.  "  Wait,  wait.  I  see.  De 
Proballe  told  me  this  good  fellow  Denys  had  his  suspi- 
cions. He  has  told  her.  Phew !  "  he  whistled.  "  The 
plot  thickens." 

"  It's  thick  enough  already  to  be  a  very  devil's  pie  of 
complication,"  laughed  Pascal.  "  I  suppose,  as  usual 
you  will  listen  to  no  counsel  of  prudence." 

"  Prudence,  from  Pascal  de  la  Tour  ?  "  and  Gerard 
laughed  in  his  turn. 

"  Nay,  for  myself  I  care  nothing.  Let  come  what  may 
it's  all  welcome,  so  long  as  there  be  but  some  fun  in  it. 
But  your  life  is  valuable.  Would  it  not  be  wise  to  give 
up  this  de  Cobalt  business,  leave  Morvaix,  and  return  as 
yourself  with  the  troops  from  Cambrai  ?  " 

Gerard  thought  a  moment,  and  then  with  another  smile 
answered — 

"  You  have  seen  for  yourself  how  a  certain  matter 
stands.  Were  you  in  my  place,  would  you  act  on  your 
own  counsel  ?  " 

"  Not  I,  on  my  soul.    If  there  are  two  ways  to  an  end. 


^6  A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

I  would  choose  that  which  has  the  more  spice  in  it,  and 
devil  take  the  danger.  But  you  and  I  stand  on  different 
footings,,  Gerard,  and  I  would  not  so  counsel  you." 

"  Counsel  or  no  counsel,  I  stay,  Pascal.  We  will  have 
the  troops  up  when  the  need  calls  for  them.  But  I  will 
follow  the  spirit  of  your  advice.  I'll  write  to  my  cousin 
d'Alembert,  at  Cambrai,  bidding  him  be  prepared  to 
march  hither  at  an  hour's  notice ;  and  to-mprrow  early 
you  must  find  means  to  despatch  a  messenger  to  him. 
Then  seek  out  Dubois,  and  tell  him  to  keep  in  close  touch 
with  the  hundred  we  brought  into  the  city  as  monks,  so 
as  to  assemble  them  at  any  moment.  Do  you  know  how 
the  hundred  we  played  at  presenting  to  this  Governor 
have  been  bestowed  ?  " 

"  That  was  a  shrewd  step,"  answered  Pascal,  with  a 
laugh.  "  They  are  enrolled  among  the  castle  guards,  in 
accordance  with  the  suggestion  Dubois  handed  on  from 
his  Eminence — yourself,  Gerard.  Pray  Heaven,  they  do 
"but  keep  discreet  tongues.  They  are  tough  fighters,  and 
every  man  would  gladly  give  his  life  for  you ;  but  like 
rsoldiers,  they  love  their  liquor." 

"  To-morrow,  or  at  any  rate  the  day  following,  should 
see  all  in  readiness  for  us  to  act.  Now  let  me  write  my 
letter — a  task  I  loathe." 

While  Gerard  wrote,  Pascal  left  the  room,  wishful  in 
case  of  emergencies  to  learn  his  way  better  about  the 
great  house,  and  he  came  back  just  as  the  seal  was  set  to 
the  paper. 

"  Gerard,  that  sharp-eyed  beauty,  Mdlle.  Lucette, 
wishes  a  word  with  you.  I  met  her  on  the  watch  in  the 
corridor  as  I  returned." 

Gerard  went  out  to  her. 

"  May  I  put  a  question  to  you,  M.  de  Cobalt  ?  "  was 
how  she  met  him. 

"  Certainly,  mademoiselle.  Can  I  help  you  ?  You  look 
:Sorely  troubled." 


WHAT    DENYS   KNEW  97 

"  Gabrielle  trusts  you  so  implicitly,  monsieur,  and  'twas 
she  bade  me  ask  you.  Will  you  tell  me  why  you  were 
so  anxious  that  Denys  St.  Jean  should  be  watched  so 
jealously?  " 

"  I  gave  my  reasons,  mademoiselle.  When  fever  and 
delirium  follow  loss  of  blood  from  a  sword-thrust  there 
must  always  be  risk  to  the  patient." 

"  There  is  no  delirium,  monsieur.  When  Denys  spoke 
of  you,  he  was  perfectly  calm  and  clear.  At  first,  that 
is,  and  until  his  excitement  grew.  But  what  he  said  of 
you  was  said  collectedly." 

"  But  the  fever  is  on  him,  and  therefore  he  should  not 
be  left,"  said  Gerard  calmly. 

She  made  a  quick  gesture  of  impatience. 

"  Can  you  not  answer  me  frankly,  monsieur  ?  Oh,  par- 
don me,  but  I  am  in  such  distress.  You  have  some  other 
reasons.  I  saw  the  look  that  passed  between  you  and  M. 
de  Proballe." 

"  Would  you  ask  me  to  interpret  for  you  all  M.  de 
Proballe's  looks,  and  to  explain  all  you  may  have  thought 
in  your  excitement  ?  "  and  he  smiled. 

"  Denys  is  so  hot  against  you,  and  makes  such  charges." 

"  Should  I  warn  you  to  set  a  watch  over  him  if  I  my- 
self were  minded  to  do  him  any  harm  for  that?  In  all 
honest  truth,  I  care  not  what  he  may  either  think  or  say." 

"  But  he  declares " 

"  By  your  leave,  I  would  rather  not  hear  what  he  says 
except  from  his  own  lips.  I  shall  know  how  to  answer 
him." 

She  lifted  her  hands  despairingly  and  was  turning 
away,  when  a  further  question  occurred  to  her.  "  On 
your  honour,  monsieur,  you  have  no  other  reason  for  this 
watching  than  what  you  have  said  ?  " 

"  That  is  a  question  which  I  would  rather  that  you  did 
not  put  to  me." 

"  But  we  trust  you  so,"  she  cried  reproachfully. 


98  A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

He  smiled  again.    "  Then  do  as  I  have  suggested." 

"  Oh,  what  a  mystery  is  all  this ; "  she  exclaimed,  and 
left  him. 

"  One  word  more,  mademoiselle,"  he  said,  following 
her  a  couple  of  paces.  "  We  are  soldiers  and  accustomed 
to  long  watches  and  little  sleep.  One  of  us  will  be  on  the 
watch  out  here  in  the  corridor  for  the  night." 

She  made  no  reply ;  and  Gerard,  going  back  to  Pascal, 
told  him  what  he  proposed :  that  they  two  should  watch 
in  turns  through  the  night. 

"  I  hope  that  rat  will  come  stealing  back,"  said  Pascal. 
*'  If  I  don't  pinch  his  throat  for  him,  may  my  fingers  for- 
get the  feel  of  a  man's  wizen ;"  and  he  agreed  readily 
to  take  the  first  spell. 

The  rat  did  come  back,  more  than  once ;  but  so  cun- 
ningly and  softly  now,  so  warily  and  so  keen  of  scent  for 
the  watchers,  that  neither  Gerard  nor  Pascal  knew  of  his 
coming;  and  in  the  morning  both  agreed  that  they  had 
kept  their  vigil  to  no  purpose.  Could  they  have  heard 
the  report  which  Dauban  gave  to  his  master,  however, 
they  would  have  known  otherwise. 

De  Proballe  was  ill  at  ease,  indeed.  He  did  not  like 
the  attitude  which  Gerard  had  adopted.  He  had  looked 
for  a  pliant  tool,  afraid  of  his  life ;  and  he  found  instead, 
a  man  who  showed  independence  and  firmness,  who  had 
a  will  of  his  own,  and  who  both  said  and  did  things  that 
made  against  his  plans. 

For  his  purpose  it  was  not  by  any  means  enough  that 
Gerard  should  succeed  in  making  a  good  impression  on 
Gabrielle.  That  was  right,  so  far  as  it  went ;  but  Gerard 
seemed  to  be  captivated  by  her  beauty ;  and  that  was  al- 
together wrong.  If  there  was  to  be  love  between  them, 
the  whole  scheme  might  be  jeopardised;  and  with  it 
would  go  his  own  more  daring  and  ambitious  plans. 

Were  Gerard  to  marry  Gabrielle  and  then  turn  against 
him,  no  one  could  foresee  the  consequences.    The  blunder- 


WHAT    DENYS    KNEW  99 

ing  interference  in  regard  to  Denys  was  unaccountable; 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  had  flinched  from  the  neces- 
sary step  of  deaHng  with  one  whose  knowledge  was  so 
dangerous,  was  profoundly  disturbing.  It  was  enough 
to  rouse  the  wrath  of  any  one ;  and  when  Dauban  brought 
word  that  a  watch  was  actually  being  kept  which  ren- 
dered it  impossible  even  to  get  to  the  door  of  the  room, 
his  perplexity  equalled  his  ill-temper. 

He  had  his  own  standards  of  judging  men;  and  he 
could  only  come  now  to  the  conclusion  that  Gerard  was 
in  some  way  playing  for  his  own  hand.  This  thought 
kept  him  in  a  ferment  of  speculation  the  whole  night. 

Seeing  Gerard  in  the  gardens  early,  he  went  down  to 
him,  resolved  to  have  an  explanation. 

"  I  want  a  word  with  you,  Gerard,"  he  said,  bluntly. 
"  We  must  understand  one  another,  or  this  thing  goes 
no  farther." 

Gerard  had  gone  out  early  in  the  hope  of  seeing  Gabri- 
elle,  and  was  anything  but  pleased  to  have  de  Proballe's 
company  instead ;  nor  did  he  at  all  relish  the  peremptory 
tone  in  which  de  Proballe  spoke.  Thus  his  answer  was 
sharp  and  curt. 

"  What  is  there  we  do  not  understand,  monsieur?  " 

"  In  the  first  place,  you  must  understand  that  as  I  am 
the  author  of  this  marriage  scheme,  you  must  work  for 
it  as  I  direct,  or  it  must  come  to  an  end." 

"Is  that  so?" 

"  Yes,  it  is  so ;  and  you  had  better  know  it.  I  first 
thought  of  it ;  I  found  the  proofs  of  her  parents'  wishes 
to  lay  before  Gabrielle ;  and  what  I  made  I  can  as  easily 
unmake  again.  I  have  but  to  speak  a  word  and  the 
bubble  will  burst." 

"  Then  it  was  a  lie,  M.  de  Proballe  ?  "  asked  Gerard 
coldly  and  incisively. 

"  A  lie,  as  you  know  perfectly  well ;  one  in  which  you 
have  already  taken  part,  and  which  you  have  come  here 


lOO        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

in  person  to  continue  to  the  end.  It  is  useless  for  us  to 
play  like  children  at  pretences.  In  your  letters  to  me  you 
have  expressed  your  willingness  to  put  yourself  en- 
tirely in  my  hands,  to  do  precisely  what  I  tell  you.  Now, 
will  you  do  it?    If  you  will  not,  say  so." 

"  My  memory  for  such  matters  is  short,  monsieur,  and 
in  regard  to  all  such  communications  I  am  as  if  I  had 
never  penned  them";  replied  Gerard,  after  a  moment's 
pause. 

"  Then  it  is  as  I  thought.  You  have  some  scheme  of 
your  own  to  further.  What  is  it  ?  "  De  Proballe  was 
furious  at  the  answer. 

"  If  it  be  my  own,  as  you  suggest,  should  I  be  likely  to 
disclose  it  to  you  ?  " 

"  You  do  not  deny  it  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  admit  your  right  to  question  me." 

"  Do  you  intend  to  marry  Gabrielle  ?  " 

"  Without  a  doubt,  if  she  will  deign  to  marry  me."  , 

"  Then  why  did  you  set  a  watch  outside  that  babbler's 
door  all  through  the  night  ?  " 

"  How  do  you  know  that  I  did  ?  " 

"  No  matter.     I  know  it,  and  that  is  enough." 

"  I  was  right,  then,  in  thinking  you  would  choose  the 
night  for  your  work.  I  set  the  watch,  monsieur,  because 
I  had  no  mind  to  be  a  party  to  your  murderous  scheme." 

"  You  will  repent  this  attitude." 

"  Very  likely.  Most  of  us  spend  our  lives  in  either  com- 
mitting one  blunder  or  repenting  others." 

"  You  tempt  me  to  deem  my  act  a  blunder  indeed  in 
bringing  you  to  Morvaix." 

"  That  may  be  part  of  the  better  understanding,  the 
reference  to  which  opened  our  conversation.  Need  we 
say  any  more  ?  " 

"  Before  the  day  is  done  you  may  understand  better," 
cried  de  Proballe,  furiously. 

"  Shall  we  leave  it,  then,  for  the  coming  hours  to  de- 


WHAT    DENYS    KNEW  loi 

cide  ? "  retorted  Gerard,  lightly  and  without  more  he 
turned  his  back  and  walked  away. 

De  Proballe  returned  to  the  house  more  uneasy  and 
more  wrathful  than  ever.  He  seemed  to  see  his  schemes 
crumbling  to  pieces  before  his  eyes,  and  to  be  unable  to 
avert  the  ruin.  He  had  built  so  much  on  Gerard's  com- 
ing that  he  was  loath  now  to  carry  his  fears  to  the  Gov- 
ernor, and  thus  stop  the  marriage  altogether ;  and  yet  it 
was  plain  that  if  this  was  to  be  Gerard's  attitude  when 
he  had  married  Gabrielle  and  was  master  of  Malincourt, 
the  very  marriage  itself  might  but  make  matters  worse 
than  they  were  at  present. 

He  could  not  see  what  private  scheme  Gerard  could 
have  in  reserve ;  and  came  at  length  to  think  that  the 
success  with  Gabrielle  had  so  turned  Gerard's  head  that 
he  believed  himself  master  of  the  situation.  From  this 
delusion  it  would  not  be  difficult  to  rouse  him,  however. 
A  word  or  two  from  the  Duke  that  his  life  was  in  danger 
would  soon  cure  this  swashbuckler  mood ;  and  such  a 
word  he  could  instigate  at  any  moment.  He  could  there- 
fore safely  let  matters  run  their  course  for  the  present. 

In  this  temper  he  awaited  the  hour  fixed  for  Gerard's 
interview  with  the  Governor ;  but  early  in  the  fore- 
noon the  latter  arrived  at  Malincourt ;  and  de  Proballe 
found  him  in  a  dangerous  temper. 

"  We  were  to  wait  upon  you  at  the  Castle,  Duke,"  he 
said,  suavely. 

"  Am  I  not  welcome  at  Malincourt  ?  " 

"  You  can  need  no  assurance  from  me,  I  trust,  that 
your  presence  here  is  an  honour  and  a  welcome  con- 
descension." 

"  Umph !  "  and  the  Governor  shrugged  his  shoulders. 
"  Where  is  Mdlle.  de  Malincourt?  " 

"  I  have  not  seen  my  niece  this  morning.  I  will  have 
her  sent  for." 

"  No,  that  is  not  my  wish.    Where  is  your  villainous 


104        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

The  lovers  approached,  all  unsuspecting  that  keen 
vengeful  eyes  were  bent  upon  them  from  under  the 
strained  pent  brows  of  a  man  half  mad  with  jealous 
frenzy.  And  a  handsome  picture  they  made  as  they 
came  up  the  broad  steps  laughing  gaily  in  the  sweet 
abandonment  of  new-found  all-trusting  love. 

Gabrielle  held  in  one  hand  the  kerchief  with  which  she 
had  at  first  covered  her  head,  and  in  the  other  was  a 
posy  of  freshly  plucked  flowers,  from  which  she  had 
chosen  a  red  rose  to  give  to  Gerard.  Her  face  was 
radiant  with  smiles  and  her  eyes  glowed  as  she  turned 
them  ever  and  again  upon  her  handsome  lover  by  her  side. 
At  the  head  of  the  steps  she  stayed  and  leant  in  a  grace- 
ful pose  against  the  marble  pillar  on  which  stood  the 
statue  of  a  fantastically  carved  faun. 

"And  must  you  really  go  now  to  the  Castle?"  she 
asked. 

"  M.  de  Proballe  named  this  hour,  Gabrielle." 

"  I  am  loath  for  you  to  go,  cousin ;  yet  could  wish  you 
gone  that  I  may  look  for  your  return,  and  long  for  it." 

"  You  do  not  think  I  leave  you  willingly  ?  " 

A  tender  glance  was  the  answer,  and  at  the  sight  of 
it  the  angry  man  within  the  room  close  by  drew  in  his 
breath  sharply  as  if  in  pain. 

"  I  believe  I  shall  count  the  minutes  till  you  return,'* 
she  said.  "  Am  I  not  foolish  ?  But  your  coming  has 
changed  my  world." 

"  If  it  be  foolishness,  then  it  is  good  to  be  foolish," 
returned  Gerard. 

"  You  will  be  careful  with  the  Duke,  remembering  what 
I  have  told  you,  Gerard." 

"  I  have  to  think  of  you,  Gabrielle,  and  the  thought 
will  inspire  me  to  caution." 

"  I  would  I  could  be  present.  Not  that  I  doubt  you ; 
maybe,"  she  smiled,  "it  is  only  because  I  do  not  like  to  be 
parted  from  you." 


WHAT    DENYS   KNEW  105 

"  The  minutes  will  be  no  less  leaden  to  me  while  I 
am  away ;  "  and  again  they  smiled  each  to  the  other  with 
such  a  glance  that  the  Duke  could  endure  no  more, 

"  This  must  end,"  he  whispered  fiercely.  "  I  will  bear 
no  more  ;  "  and  he  was  moving  impetuously  when  de  Pro- 
balle  stayed  him  and  whispered  in  reply — 

"  I  beg  you  have  patience,  my  lord.  He  is  but  adopt- 
ing my  suggestion  and  wooing  her  that  the  marriage  may 
take  place  the  sooner." 

"  Then  he  must  find  some  other  way.  It  is  hell  to 
me. 

"  Stay ;  some  one  comes.  By  all  the  saints  in  heaven, 
it  is  Denys !  " 

He  was  walking  with  difficulty,  and  leaning  on  Lu- 
cette's  arm  for  support. 

"  It  is  he  who  knows  something  of  our  plans,  my 
lord,  and  should  have  been  silenced  by  your  men  yester- 
day. He  must  be  stopped,  or  he  will  poison  her  ears 
against  him." 

But  the  Duke,  catching  eagerly  at  the  words,  laid  a 
strong  hand  on  de  Proballe's  arm  and  held  him  as  he 
whispered  in  tense  accents — 

"  Let  him  do  it,  and  I  will  thank  him.  Stay,  monsieur,  I 
order  you." 

In  dire  consternation  de  Proballe,  now  much  agitated,, 
fell  back  to  his  place,  and  both  were  again  silent. 

"  Denys,  Denys,  what  madness  is  it  that  brings  you 
from  your  sick  bed  thus  ?  "  cried  Gabrielle,  in  surprise 
and  some  alarm  for  him.    "  You  are  risking  your  life." 

"  It  is  no  madness,  mademoiselle,  and  my  life  would 
be  cheaply  spent  in  such  a  case,"  answered  Denys,  speak- 
ing with  great  labour  and  seeming  even  to  breathe  with 
difficulty. 

"  I  could  not  stay  him,  Gabrielle,"  said  Lucette,  in  re- 
sponse to  Gabrielle's  look  of  reproach. 

"  You  would  not  come  to  me  when  I  sent  for  vou^ 


104        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

The  lovers  approached,  all  unsuspecting  that  keen 
vengeful  eyes  were  bent  upon  them  from  under  the 
strained  pent  brows  of  a  man  half  mad  with  jealous 
frenzy.  And  a  handsome  picture  they  made  as  they 
came  up  the  broad  steps  laughing  gaily  in  the  sweet 
abandonment  of  new-found  all-trusting  love. 

Gabrielle  held  in  one  hand  tlie  kerchief  with  which  she 
had  at  first  covered  her  head,  and  in  the  other  was  a 
posy  of  freshly  plucked  flowers,  from  which  she  had 
chosen  a  red  rose  to  give  to  Gerard.  Her  face  was 
radiant  with  smiles  and  her  eyes  glowed  as  she  turned 
them  ever  and  again  upon  her  handsome  lover  by  her  side. 
At  the  head  of  the  steps  she  stayed  and  leant  in  a  grace- 
ful pose  against  the  marble  pillar  on  which  stood  the 
statue  of  a  fantastically  carved  faun. 

"And  must  you  really  go  now  to  the  Castle?"  she 
asked. 

"  M.  de  Proballe  named  this  hour,  Gabrielle," 

"  I  am  loath  for  you  to  go,  cousin ;  yet  could  wish  you 
gone  that  I  may  look  for  your  return,  and  long  for  it." 

"  You  do  not  think  I  leave  you  willingly  ?  " 

A  tender  glance  was  the  answer,  and  at  the  sight  of 
it  the  angry  man  within  the  room  close  by  drew  in  his 
breath  sharply  as  if  in  pain. 

"  I  believe  I  shall  count  the  minutes  till  you  return," 
she  said.  "  Am  I  not  foolish  ?  But  your  coming  has 
changed  my  world." 

"  If  it  be  foolishness,  then  it  is  good  to  be  foolish," 
returned  Gerard. 

"  You  will  be  careful  with  the  Duke,  remembering  what 
I  have  told  you,  Gerard." 

"  I  have  to  think  of  you,  Gabrielle,  and  the  thought 
will  inspire  me  to  caution." 

"  I  would  I  could  be  present.  Not  that  I  doubt  you ; 
maybe,"  she  smiled,  "it  is  only  because  I  do  not  like  to  be 
parted  from  you." 


WHAT   DENYS   KNEW  105 

"  The  minutes  will  be  no  less  leaden  to  me  while  I 
am  away ;  "  and  again  they  smiled  each  to  the  other  with 
such  a  glance  that  the  Duke  could  endure  no  more. 

"  This  must  end,"  he  whispered  fiercely.  "  I  will  bear 
no  more ;  "  and  he  was  moving  impetuously  when  de  Pro- 
balle  stayed  him  and  whispered  in  reply — 

"  I  beg  you  have  patience,  my  lord.  He  is  but  adopt- 
ing my  suggestion  and  wooing  her  that  the  marriage  may 
take  place  the  sooner." 

"  Then  he  must  find  some  other  way.  It  is  hell  to 
me." 

"  Stay ;  some  one  comes.  By  all  the  saints  in  heaven, 
it  is  Denys !  " 

He  was  walking  with  difficulty,  and  leaning  on  Lu- 
cette's  arm  for  support. 

"  It  is  he  who  knows  something  of  our  plans,  my 
lord,  and  should  have  been  silenced  by  your  men  yester- 
day. He  must  be  stopped,  or  he  will  poison  her  ears 
against  him." 

But  the  Duke,  catching  eagerly  at  the  words,  laid  a 
strong  hand  on  de  Proballe's  arm  and  held  him  as  he 
whispered  in  tense  accents — 

"  Let  him  do  it,  and  I  will  thank  him.  Stay,  monsieur,  I 
order  you." 

In  dire  consternation  de  Proballe,  now  much  agitated,, 
fell  back  to  his  place,  and  both  were  again  silent. 

"  Denys,  Denys,  what  madness  is  it  that  brings  you 
from  your  sick  bed  thus  ?  "  cried  Gabrielle,  in  surprise 
and  some  alarm  for  him.    "  You  are  risking  your  life." 

"  It  is  no  madness,  mademoiselle,  and  my  life  would 
be  cheaply  spent  in  such  a  case,"  answered  Denys,  speak- 
ing with  great  labour  and  seeming  even  to  breathe  with 
difficulty. 

"  I  could  not  stay  him,  Gabrielle,"  said  Lucette,  in  re- 
sponse to  Gabrielle's  look  of  reproach, 

"  You  would  not  come  to  me  when  I  sent  for  vou^ 


io6        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

mademoiselle,"  said  Denys  slowly,  when  he  had  found 
breath.    "  So  I  came  to  you." 

"  I  could  not  come  then,  and  did  but  delay,  good  Denys. 
But  what  is  this  matter  that  could  not  wait  ?  " 

"  That  man  is  the  matter — Gerard  de  Cobalt.  I  know 
the  truth  of  his  coming  hither  and  his  treachery,  and  not 
another  hour  was  to  be  lost  before  I  told  you." 

"  Denys !  How  dare  you  speak  thus  ?  You  presume 
upon  my  good  will.  It  was  M.  de  Cobalt  who  saved  your 
life  yesterday." 

"Would  God  I  had  lost  it  rather  than  that  it  should  be 
saved  by  him.  As  Heaven  is  my  witness,  I  speak  but  the 
truth  when  I  say  he  is  a  villain ;  and  I  can  and  will  prove 
my  words  by  his  own  testimony." 

A  moment's  tense  silence  followed  this  fierce  accusa- 
tion ;  and  in  it  the  Duke  whispered  under  his  breath — 

"  It  grows  interesting.  I  hope  he  will  make  good  his 
words.  He  is  an  honest  sturdy  fellow,  and  looks  as 
«arnest  as  he  is  sincere.    A  good  witness,  and  welcome." 


CHAPTER  X 

THE   ACCUSATION 

TO  Gerard  the  turn  of  events  was  profoundly  dis- 
turbing-. He  had  heard  from  both  Lucette  and 
de  Proballe  that  Denys  had  suspicions  of  the 
reasons  which  were  supposed  to  have  brought  him  to 
Morvaix,  and  knew  something  of  the  unsavoury  past  of 
the  man  whose  name  he  had  taken ;  and  to  have  all  this 
blurted  out  to  Gabrielle  might  have  very  ugly  conse- 
quences. 

Almost  any  other  moment  would  have  been  less  in- 
opportune, as  it  seemed ;  and  he  would  have  given  much 
to  be  able  to  silence  his  accuser.  Yet  he  could  not  appear 
to  shun  the  charge  or  shrink  from  any  proofs  which  Denys, 
had  obtained :  could  do  nothing  in  fact.  It  was  the  irony 
of  the  thing  that  the  very  interference  which  he  would 
have  welcomed  at  the  fitting  moment  should  be  so  em- 
barrassing now. 

Gabrielle  had,  however,  only  one  thought.  To  her  it 
seemed  treachery  even  to  listen  further  to  the  accusation. 
She  was  very  angry,  and  her  face  mantled  with  colour. 

"  You  have  been  a  faithful  friend  to  me,  Denys,"  she 
said,  "  and  are  ill  with  your  wound.  Were  it  otherwise, 
your  present  act  would  part  us.  There  is  no  place  in 
Malincourt,  or  in  my  service,  for  any  one  who  maligns 
my  friends.  Lucette,  it  pains  me  that  you  are  in  this. 
Gerard,  will  you  take  me  into  the  house  ?  " 

But  Gerard's  honour  and  instincts  of  fairness  forbade 
acquiescence  in  this  unjust  rebuke. 

107 


io8        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  Nay,  Gabrielle,  I  believe  you  are  too  hard  upon  M.  St. 
Jean  and  upon  ]\Idlle.  Lucette  as  well.  It  is  but  his  zeal 
for  you  that  makes  him  indiscreet." 

"  The  fool,  the  fool !  "  muttered  de  Proballe.  "  When 
she  would  have  shut  her  own  ears  to  the  truth." 

"  You  hear  M.  de  Cobalt,  Denys.  Take  lesson  by  his 
generosity.  Go  back  to  your  chamber,  and  when  you  are 
well,  in  mind  and  body  both,  I  will  hear  you.  Lucette,  see 
to  this."  She  spoke  with  all  the  dignity  of  one  who  meant 
to  be  obeyed. 

"  I  have  no  power  to  prevail  with  him,  Gabrielle.  He 
urged  me  first  to  come  with  this  story  to  you,  and  when 
I  would  not,  rose  from  his  bed  and  insisted  on  seeking 
you  for  himself." 

Denys  appeared  to  be  almost  spent  with  his  effort.  He 
stood  leaning  ag-ainst  the  parapet  in  such  desperate 
straits  that  Gabrielle  was  touched  with  deep  compassion. 

"  I  am  passing,  I  think,"  he  said.  His  face  was  deadly 
grey  as  he  clung  to  the  marble  with  one  hand  while  with 
the  other  he  felt  for  a  paper  and  drew  it  out.  He  seemed 
so  near  collapse  that  Gerard  stepped  forward  to  help 
him ;  but  anger  rallied  him  and  he  waved  away  the  prof- 
fered help  with  a  gesture  of  contempt. 

"  Pray  God  he  falls  before  he  can  do  more  mischief, 
the  meddling  dog !  "  muttered  de  Proballe  again. 

"  Lead  him  away,  Lucette,"  said  Gabrielle,  in  pain  at 
the  sight.  But  Denys  would  not  go ;  and  after  an  effort 
he  said  slowly  with  much  effort  and  many  a  pause — 

"  My  last  strength  can  have  no  better  use  than  in  this 
for  you,  mademoiselle.  This  letter — from  M.  de  Cobalt 
to  M.  de  Proballe.    Read  it,  for  the  love  of  God,  read  it." 

"  Denys,  Denys,  how  can  you  ask  such  unworthiness  ?  " 
cried  Gabrielle  indignantly,  her  eyes  and  voice  full  of  re- 
proach, "  If  it  be  M.  de  Cobalt's  letter,  give  it  to  him. 
Would  you  have  me  imitate  you  and  play  the  spy  ?  " 

■'^  Speak  not  so  harshly,  Gabrielle,"  exclaimed  Lucette. 


THE    ACCUSATION  109 

But  Denys  stopped  her  and  spoke  again,  moving  a 
step  toward  Gabrielle, 

"  He  would  marry  you  but  to  betray  you  to  the  Duke. 
'Tis  my  last  word.  He  says  it  here."  Holding  the  letter 
in  his  now  trembling  fingers  he  made  a  great  effort  to 
reach  Gabrielle  with  it,  his  staring  eyes  fixed  earnestly 
and  imploringly  upon  her.  But  his  fever-racked  strength 
was  gone.  "  For  God's  sake  be  warned,"  he  mumbled 
half-incoherently.  It  was  his  last  effort.  As  the  words 
dropped  from  his  lips,  he  fell  prone  to  the  ground,  the 
letter  fluttering  from  his  nerveless  fingers  to  Gabrielle '& 
feet. 

Lucette  with  a  cry  knelt  beside  him. 

Gabrielle  had  shrunk  from  his  approach,  but  now  stood 
gazing  down  on  him,  pity,  pain  and  distress  in  her  eyes. 
And  Gerard  stooped  and  felt  his  heart. 

"He  has  but  fainted,"  he  said,  looking  up.  "  Let  him 
be  carried  back  to  the  bed  he  should  never  have  left.  He 
is  a  noble  faithful  fellow  and  has  freely  risked  his  life 
for  what  he  deems  the  truth." 

"  Good,  Gerard !  Splendidly  played.  Did  you  mark 
that,  my  lord  ? "  whispered  de  Proballe,  intensely  re- 
lieved at  Denys'  collapse.  "  What  an  actor  the  villain  is^ 
Duke  ?  Said  I  not  he  was  but  acting  with  Gabrielle  ?  You 
could  swear  that  tone  of  his  was  a  note  of  honour- 
able innocence. 

But  the  Duke  made  no  reply.  He  was  staring  with 
pent  gloomy  brows  at  the  scene. 

"  You  bear  him  no  grudge  for  this,  Gerard  ?  "  said 
Gabrielle  with  a  smile  of  confidence. 

"  Should  I  feel  enmity  to  one  whose  only  motive  was 
desire  to  serve  you  and  who  has  drawn  this  further 
proof  of  your  trust  in  me?  He  did  and  said  no  more 
than  he  deemed  both  right  and  true.  I  honour  him  for 
his  courage." 

"  Then   I   will  tear  the  letter  that  appears  to  have 


no        A   COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

cheated  his  fevered  wits,  and  so  end  the  matter ; "  and 
picking  up  the  paper  she  was  about  to  tear  it  when  he 
stopped  her. 

"  Fool !  Idiot !  Now  indeed  he  goes  too  far ;  "  mut- 
tered de  Proballe,  as  he  saw  the  gesture.  "  Let  her 
tear  it." 

Gerard  had  the  strongest  reasons  for  not  having  the 
letter  destroyed,  however.  It  was  the  proof  he  needed 
to  make  de  Proballe's  guilt  clear. 

"  I  should  not  destroy  it,  Gabrielle.  There  must  be 
much  behind  this  which  we  do  not  yet  understand;  and 
if  it  is  to  be  cleared,  this  letter  may  be  needed." 

"  'Tis  but  the  delusion  born  of  fever  madness." 

"  Men  do  not  forge  letters  in  delirium,"  answered 
Gerard  quietly. 

"  You  would  not  have  me  read  it ! "  Gabrielle's  eyes 
"were  wide  with  astonishment. 

"  What  will  the  fool  do  next  ?  "  murmured  de  Pro- 
balle, in  deep  agitation.    "  Is  he  aiming  this  at  me  ?  " 

Gerard  paused  a  moment  to  think,  and  then  an- 
swered calmly  and  firmly. 

"  Yes,  I  would  have  you  read  it." 

"  But  it  is  designed  to  slander  you." 

"  I  am  too  sure  of  your  trust  to  fear  any  slander, 
Gabrielle.    I  would  have  you  read  it,  whatever  it  be." 

"  By  the  Cross !  he  plays  a  bold  hand,"  muttered  the 
Duke,  drawing  his  breath.    "  What  is  in  the  letter  ?  " 

"  It  will  ruin  everything,"  whispered  de  Proballe. 

"  Then  do  I  not  understand  him.  He  must  indeed  be 
sure  of  her,  as  he  says ; "  and  his  frown  grew  deeper 
than  before. 

Gabrielle  stood  fingering  the  letter  in  hesitation  some 
moments  and  then  unfolded  it. 

"  I  will  do  your  bidding,  Gerard,  although  I  had 
rather  not."    She  read  it  then. 


THE    ACCUSATION  iii 

"  To  M.  LE  Baron  de  Proballe, — 

"  The  messenger  has  brought  me  your  last  communi- 
cation and  the  sum  of  money  I  asked  for.  My  doubts 
are  almost  satisfied.  I  have  some  troublesome  mat- 
ters to  arrange,  and  some  little  time  must  pass  before 
they  can  be  settled.  But  you  can  count  upon  my 
reaching  Malincourt  by  the  end  of  June  or  the  first  days 
of  July,  if  in  response  to  this  you  send  me  a  declara- 
tion under  the  Duke  de  Rochelle's  own  hand  that  I  shall 
receive  his  pardon  for  the  affair  at  Cambrai.  You  must 
procure  this ;  as  without  it  I  shall  not  trust  myself  with- 
in his  province. 

"  You  require  me  to  state  my  acceptance  of  your 
proposal  specifically.  I  now  do  this.  I  will  marry 
Gabrielle.  She  shall  never  learn  from  me  that  her 
parents  never  expressed  any  such  wish  for  our  marriage 
as  she  has  been  told.  I  will  use  my  utmost  efforts  to 
compel  her,  if  need  be,  to  submit  to  the  Duke's  wishes. 
And  I  will  act  in  every  way  faithfully  as  you  may  direct 
in  any  other  plans  you  have. 

"  The  fortune  I  shall  receive  with  Gabrielle  will  be 
all  I  need — that  and  the  pardon;  for  I  seek  no  Court 
position,  favour,  or  influence. 

"  Send  me  the  written  assurance  of  the  pardon,  and 
by  the  time  the  messenger  can  return  hither,  I  may  be 
ready  to  set  out  myself. 

"  Gerard  de  Cobalt." 

"  By  the  God  above  us  all,  what  callous  infamy ! "  ex- 
claimed Gerard,  passionately,  stirred  to  the  depths  by  the 
letter,  whose  full  meaning  he  well  understood.  But  it  was 
otherwise  with  Gabrielle,  who  saw  in  it  no  more  than 
an  attempt  to  slander  him ;  and  she  mistook  his  burn- 
ing words  for  indignation  at  the  effort  to  ruin  him  in 
her  eyes, 

"  Infamy  indeed,"  she  said  warmly.  "  Would  that  I 


112        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

knew  the  author  of  so  vile  a  slander!  If  I  thought  for 
a  moment  that  Denys " 

"  No,  no,  Gabrielle.  Don't  even  speak  such  a 
thought,"  cried  Lucette. 

"  I  had  forgotten  him,"  said  Gerard.  "  I  will  help 
bear  him  into  the  house.  We  will  deal  with  this  after- 
wards, Gabrielle." 

"  Except  to  find  the  villain  who  forged  the  letter,  there 
is  no  more  to  do  in  it,  Gerard.  They  little  know  me 
"who  think  I  could  be  moved  by  so  contemptible  a  lie. 
I  could  ask  your  pardon  for  having  read  it  to  the  end 
^-could  almost  be  vexed  with  you,  indeed,  for  having 
•caused  me  to  read  it.    Shall  I  tear  it  now  ?  " 

He  was  bending  over  Denys  and  looked  up  quickly. 
^'  No,  I  will  keep  it ;  and  some  one  some  day  shall  pay 
3.  heavy  reckoning,"  he  answered  as  he  took  it.  Then 
with  Lucette's  help  he  lifted  Denys  and  took  him  into 
the  house.  Gabrielle  was  following,  when  the  Duke  said 
hurriedly  to  de  Proballe — 

"  Go  and  detain  her  on  the  terrace.  I  must  speak  with 
her ;  but  first  will  think  a  space.    I  am  on  the  rack." 

He  had  been  profoundly  moved  by  the  scene  and  was 
intensely  agitated.  He  had  let  the  letter  be  read  without 
interference — involving  though  it  did  both  de  Proballe 
and  himself — in  the  belief  that  the  revelation  of  Gerard's 
"baseness  would  change  her  feelings ;  and  the  unshaken 
confidence  she  had  shown  in  Gerard's  honour  was  to  his 
jealousy  as  biting  acid  to  an  open  wound. 

With  a  bitterness  beyond  words  to  describe  and  far 
too  galling  for  his  selfish  soul  to  endure,  he  saw  now  that 
in  causing  Gerard  to  be  brought  to  Morvaix  for  his  own 
purpose  with  Gabrielle,  he  had  but  plunged  a  sword  into 
his  own  heart.  The  villain  had  played  his  part  so  well 
that  he  had  won  her  love;  and  the  wound  burned  and 
etabbed  and  maddened  him  with  its  pain. 

But  he  would  have  his  revenge.     No  man  should  be 


THE    ACCUSATION  ii;j 

suffered  to  come  between  him  and  his  desires.  If  this  de 
Cobalt  had  won  her  love,  he  should  pay  the  price.  His 
rival's  life  lay  in  the  palm  of  his  hand ;  and  in  Morvaix 
at  least  there  was  none  to  step  between  him  and  the 
object  of  his  hate. 

It  was  a  treacherous  betrayal ;  nothing  else.  Pretend- 
ing to  keep  the  letter  of  his  pledge,  Gerard  had  broken 
the  spirit,  and  should  be  trusted  no  more.  The  pardon  for 
the  murder  at  Cambrai  should  be  withheld,  unless — and 
his  eyes  gleamed  dangerously  at  a  fresh  thought  and  he 
smiled  with  a  cunning  pleasure. 

Gabrielle  loved  this  de  Cobalt ;  and  the  love  would  put 
a  weapon  in  his  hands  powerful  enough  to  break  her  to 
his  purpose. 

His  new  resolve  was  quick  to  take  shape.  She  should 
be  his  wife ;  and  the  price  of  her  consent  should  be  her 
new  lover's  life.  The  old  scheme  should  be  laid  away; 
and  with  it  would  go  at  a  stroke  all  need  for  de  Cobalt's 
services.  His  next  move  was  soon  decided ;  and  he 
stepped  out  and  joined  Gabrielle  and  her  uncle. 

"  I  make  no  apology  for  thus  breaking  upon  you  sud- 
denly, because  the  reason  for  it  is  your  own  welfare,"  he 
began,  speaking  deliberately. 

"  I  trust  your  lordship  does  not  deem  an  apology  nec- 
essary for  visiting  Malincourt,"  replied  Gabrielle,  courte- 
ously, but  wondering  at  his  manner. 

"  This  is  no  ordinary  visit  of  courtesy,  mademoiselle ; 
and  if  the  manner  of  it  is  unusual  and  displeasing,  as 
it  may  well  be,  the  purpose  will,  I  hope,  prove  its  excuse. 
We  have  been  close  observers  of  the  scene  which  has  just 
occurred  here — as  M.  de  Proballe  has  perhaps  told  you.'* 
But  de  Proballe  had  done  nothing  of  the  kind,  and  he 
started  in  some  dismay  at  the  words.  His  start  was  lost 
by  Gabrielle,  however,  in  her  intense  surprise. 

"  Observers,  my  lord  ?  I  fear  I  do  not  understand,** 
she  replied  with  dignity. 


114        A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Yet  my  words  explain  my  meaning.  Very  evil  in- 
telligence has  reached  me  concerning  this  M.  de  Cobalt ; 
and  in  my  zeal  for  your  welfare  I  came  this  morning  to 
confer  with  M.  de  Proballe ;  and  we  arranged  the  scene 
that  this  man's  character  might  be  tested  openly." 
•  "  I  should  prefer  that  M.  de  Cobalt  be  present,  my 
lord."  Gabrielle  took  fire  instantly,  and  she  made  no 
attempt  to  disguise  her  indignation. 

"  It  is  not  necessary.  His  presence  or  absence  is  a 
matter  of  no  concern.  What  you  have  heard  of  him 
to-day  and  read  in  that  letter  of  his  is  true." 

"  Do  you  mean "  she  began  hastily,  then  checked 

herself  and  said  proudly :  "  But  I  will  not  deign  to  ask  a 
question.  Your  lordship  must  be  entirely  in  error.  I  have 
unbounded  faith  in  M.  de  Cobalt's  honour.  It  is  a  matter 
your  lordship  must  excuse  my  declining  to  discuss."  The 
Duke  frowned,  but  repressed  his  anger. 

"  I  can  understand  your  feelings,"  he  said  calmly. 
"  Would  that  the  man  were  worthy  of  it  1  I  honour 
you  for  this  attitude  and  would  gladly  spare  you  the 
pain  which  the  truth  must  cause  you ;  but  it  must  be  told, 
mademoiselle." 

Gabrielle  would  not  answer,  and  the  Duke  turned  to 
de  Proballe. 

"  You  will  tell  your  niece,  monsieur,  that  that  letter 
was  written  to  you  by  M.  de  Cobalt  himself  in  reply  to 
others  from  you  to  him." 

"  I  think  you  and  I  had  better  discuss  this  further," 
said  de  Proballe,  in  a  desperate  shift  at  the  new  position. 

"  It  is  my  wish,  monsieur,"  replied  the  Duke  coldly, 
with  a  glance  of  menace. 

"  Even  my  uncle  himself  will  not  shake  my  confidence 
in  M.  de  Cobalt,  although  he  may  change  my  feelings 
toward  himself,"  declared  Gabrielle,  firmly. 

"  M.  de  Proballe,"  said  the  Duke. 

"  I  know  not  your  intentions,"  he  answered,  in  a  fever 


THE    ACCUSATION  ii^ 

of  disquiet.  "  I — I  scarcely  heard  what  the  letter  con- 
tained ;  and — and  before  I  can  say  so  much  I — ought  to 
see  it — to  examine  it."  He  stumbled  and  hesitated  over 
the  words. 

"  Do  I  understand,  M.  le  Baron,  that  you  give  me  the 
lie?  "  and  the  cold  cutting  words  were  accompanied  by  a 
look  that  no  one  could  misunderstand. 

"  God  forfend ;  but  I  wash  my  hands  of  the  whole 
affair,"  he  cried,  with  a  gesture  of  profound  agitation 
and  a  sigh.  "  It  is  true,  Gabrielle.  The  letter  was  writ- 
ten by  Gerard  to  me  some  time  since.  It  is  one  of  several 
that  have  passed  between  us." 

"  I  do  not  believe  it ; "  and  Gabrielle  drew  herself  up 
in  proud  repudiation  of  the  further  attack  upon  the  man 
she  loved  and  trusted. 

"  On  my  honour  it  is  so,  mademoiselle,"  declared  the 
Duke.  "  And  now  I  must  make  my  confession  of  the 
part  I  have  played  in  this.  It  is  no  humour  of  mine  to 
seek  others'  forgiveness,  but  for  what  I  have  done  in  all 
this  distressful  error,  I  do  beg  yours.  It  was  at  my 
instance  that  this  de  Cobalt  was  brought  to  Morvaix." 

"  Then  do  I  thank  you,  my  lord,  and,  believe  me,  I 
see  nothing  in  the  act  which  calls  for  forgiveness,"  inter- 
posed Gabrielle  swiftly,  as  he  paused.  He  took  no  notice 
of  the  interruption  ;  he  was  too  deeply  engrossed  in  think- 
ing how  to  put  his  case  most  plausibly. 

"  My  motive  you  will  at  least  admit  was  worthy — it 
was  the  good  of  the  people  of  Morvaix.  Next  to  myself, 
the  House  of  Malincourt  is  the  most  potent  influence  here, 
and  thus  the  subject  of  your  marriage  has  given  me  much 
thought.  It  would  have  been  a  disaster  had  you  fallen 
under  the  sway  of  some  unworthy  man  and  been  pre- 
vailed upon  to  marry  him,  and  so  let  the  influence  of 
your  house  pass  into  evil  hands.  To  prevent  this,  we — 
for  your  uncle  has  shared  my  views  and  acted  with  me 
throughout — we  planned  to  arrange  your  marriage  with 


ii6        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

a  man  who  would  place  himself  under  our  guidance  in 
all  matters." 

"  And  your  lordship  and  you,  monsieur,  chose  a  man 
whose  life  was  so  evil — if  this  lying  letter  were  to  be 
credited — that  he  only  dared  to  come  hither  when  he  had 
been  assured  under  your  lordship's  own  hand  of  a  pardon 
for  some  foul  offence.  Surely  you  would  not  have  me 
credit  this  of  you !  I  do  not.  I  will  not.  For  it  involves 
a  cruel  slander  upon  my  true  and  gallant  cousin." 

"  What  the  Duke  says  is  true  in  every  word,  Gabrielle," 
declared  de  Proballe,  much  relieved  at  the  astute  line  the 
Governor  was  taking. 

"  We  did  not  know  the  evil  history  of  this  man,"  con- 
tinued the  Duke  in  the  same  quiet  deliberate  tone ;  "  or 
he  would  never  have  been  brought  here.  I  have  but 
learned  it  within  the  last  few  hours.  The  affair  at  Cam- 
brai  was  mistold  to  us ;  and  I  have  but  just  gathered 
the  full  details  of  what  I  find  to  have  been  a  foul  and 
most  treacherous  murder." 

A  contemptuous  smile  of  disbelief  was  Gabrielle's  only 
answer  to  this  ;  but  it  was  more  eloquent  than  many  words 
of  her  unshaken  and  unshakable  faith  in  Gerard.  The 
Duke  paused,  and  after  a  moment  resumed — 

"  We  had  heard  that  he  had  repented  of  his  old  ex- 
cesses and  wrong  living,  and  when  we  sent  for  him, 
believed  this  to  be  the  case.  But  when  we  found  that 
his  repentance  was  but  acted  lying — in  which  he  is  an 
adept — there  seemed  no  course  open  but  to  put  him  to 
the  proof  by  confronting  him  with  his  own  writing',  so 
that  your  eyes  might  be  opened  and  yourself  convinced 
of  the  impossibility  of  a  marriage  with  him." 

"  I  have  yet  to  be  convinced,  my  lord ;  and  know  no 
power  or  means  on  earth  strong  enough  to  convince  me. 
My  parents'  wishes " 

"  Were  but  M.  de  Proballe's  invention,  mademoiselle/* 
interposed  the  Duke,  in  the  same  cold  deliberate  tone. 


THE    ACCUSATION  117 

**  The  story  was  designed  to  influence  you  to  agree.  That 
is  all.  In  that  we  did  wrong — grievous  wrong,  no  doubt ; 
for  deceit  with  whatever  motive  used  must  aiways  be 
wrong;  and  in  this  case  it  has  ended  disastrously.  For 
that,  as  well  as  for  the  pain  which,  with  all  zeal  for  your 
real  welfare,  I  have  caused  you,  I  crave  your  pardon." 

"  Had  you  indeed  done  the  harm  you  fear,  I  would 
never  forgive  you.  I  never  could,"  answered  Gabrielle, 
firmly ;  then  breaking  into  a  smile  she  added :  "  but  if 
indeed  you  have  brought  my  cousin  here,  then  do  I  thank 
you,  as  I  say.    Aye,  thank  you  with  all  my  heart." 

*'  You  do  but  jest  in  a  very  grave  issue,  mademoiselle. 
This  marriage  is  impossible."  There  was  less  deliberate- 
ness  and  more  sternness  in  the  Duke's  tone  now,  and  it 
provoked  Gabrielle's  pride.  Unmistakable  defiance  was 
in  her  look  and  mien  as  she  answered: 

"  By  your  lordship's  leave,  I  am  head  of  my  house ; 
and  if  that  part  of  what  you  have  said  be  true — that  my 
parents  have  expressed  no  wish  for  my  marriage — I  am 
free  to  choose  without  let  or  hindrance  from  any  man. 
But  here  comes  my  cousin.  He  will  know  how  to  answer 
for  himself." 

As  Gerard  came  out  of  the  house  he  started  at  seeing 
who  was  present,  and  then  came  on  with  firm  step  and 
confident  bearing,  and  smiled  to  Gabrielle  as  he  reached 
her  side. 


CHAPTER   XI 

THE  duke's   sentence 

GERARD  saw  at  once  by  the  faces  of  all  three 
that  some  fresh  compHcation  had  occurred  dur- 
ing his  absence. 

"  I  am  very  glad  you  have  come,  Gerard,"  said  Gabri- 
elle.  "  M,  le  Due  de  Rochelle  and  my  uncle  have  made 
some  charges  which  you  will  be  glad  to  face." 

"  Certainly,"  he  answered,  with  a  bow  to  the  Governor 
and  a  quick  glance  at  de  Proballe.  The  Duke  took  no 
notice  of  his  salutation. 

"  We  had  a  conversation  yesterday  concerning  the 
reason  for  your  coming  to  Morvaix,"  said  de  Proballe. 
"  You  have  not  forgotten  it  ?  " 

"  I  am  not  likely  to  have  forgotten.  Do  you  wish  it 
repeated  now  ?  "  Gabrielle  smiled  confidently  at  the  tone 
in  which  this  was  said.  Gerard  spoke  as  the  challenger, 
not  the  challenged.    There  could  be  no  mistaking  that. 

"  Leave  this  to  me,"  interposed  the  Duke  abruptly. 

"  He  admitted  everything  to  me  yesterday,"  declared 
de  Proballe;  but  the  Duke  waved  his  hand  impatiently. 

"  Now,  monsieur,"  he  said  sharply  to  Gerard.  "  A 
letter  of  yours  to  M.  de  Proballe  was  read  this  morning. 
Where  is  it?" 

"  A  letter  was  read.  It  is  here ;  "  and  he  took  it  from 
his  pocket. 

"  The  Duke  and  my  uncle  were  listening  to  our  con- 
versation," said  Gabrielle  quietly.  "  They  say  that  the 
statements  in  the  letter  are  true," 

"  They  may  be,"  he  said  readily. 

ii8 


THE    DUKE'S    SENTENCE  119 

**  Gerard !  "    Gabrielle's  was  a  cry  of  consternation. 

"  Did  you  think  he  would  dare  to  deny  it,  mademoi- 
selle ?  "  asked  the  Duke. 

"  There  is  no  reason  for  any  alarm,  Gabrielle.  On 
my  honour  you  need  but  have  patience." 

"  Honour !  "  exclaimed  the  Governor  contemptuously. 

"  Does  such  a  word  seem  strange  to  the  ears  of  the 
Duke  de  Rochelle  ?  "  asked  Gerard,  quite  unmoved  as  he 
met  the  angry  look  the  question  drew  forth.  "  What  are 
the  charges  your  lordship  brings  against  me  ?  " 

"  Those  contained  in  your  own  letter ;  the  letter  which 
confesses  the  truth.  Do  you  deny  you  wrote  that  letter 
to  M.  de  Proballe?" 

For  one  moment  Gerard  hesitated. 

"  The  statements  contained  in  that  letter  so  far  as  they 
touch  me  are  absolutely  false,"  he  declared  emphatically. 
"  That  I  affirm  on  my  honour,  Gabrielle ;  but  for  the 
moment  I  cannot  explain  the  affair." 

"  I  need  no  more.  I  was  sure  you  would  repudiate 
them,"  she  answered  exultantly.  "  I  shall  stay  to  hear 
no  more." 

"  I  should  prefer  you  to  remain,  mademoiselle,"  said 
the  Duke. 

"  I  crave  your  lordship's  permission  to  retire.  I  can 
hear  no  more  of  this  attack  upon  my  cousin.  I  am  satis- 
fied. I  have  his  assurance ; "  and  without  waiting  for 
any  permission  to  be  given,  she  went  into  the  house. 

Gerard  was  glad  to  be  left  to  deal  with  the  matter  in 
her  absence.  He  recognized  the  extreme  difficulty  of  the 
situation  and  the  utter  impossibility  of  giving  a  rational 
explanation  without  telling  the  truth  about  himself ;  but 
he  was  anxious  to  have  some  plain  speaking  with  the 
Governor,  and  he  turned  at  once  to  him. 

"  Your  lordship  will  perhaps  see  the  desirability  of  ex- 
plaining this  new  development  to  me,"  he  said. 

"  You  are  an  insolent  rascal  in  all  truth,"  was  the  fiery 


I20        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

reply.  "  It  is  from  you  I  demand  the  explanation.  See 
to  it  that  it  is  satisfactory.  I  am  not  wont  to  be  trifled 
with." 

"  I  see  no  trifling  in  all  this.  Will  you  explain  it,  M. 
de  Proballe?" 

"  You  play  the  braggart  well,  Gerard,  on  my  soul ;  and 
if  I  see  your  object  may  I  be  cursed.  When  with  me 
yesterday  you  admitted  everything;  and  now  to-day  you 
deny  your  own  writing,  and  pledge  your  honour  the  very 
things  you  have  written  are  false." 

Gerard  regarded  him  sternly.  "  Would  you  have  had 
me  tell  that  I  was  brought  here  to  Morvaix  to  marry; 
Gabrielle  in  order  to  ruin  her  ?  "  he  demanded. 

"  It  is  false !  "  cried  the  Governor. 

A  flush  of  anger  mounted  to  Gerard's  face  at  this 
insult. 

"  It  accords  ill  with  your  reputation  for  courage,  M. 
le  Due,  that  you  insult  a  man  to  whom  your  position 
denies  the  right  to  call  you  to  account.  If  you  have 
no  other  tone  to  adopt  toward  me,  I  will  retire.  But 
with  M.  de  Proballe  the  matter  stands  otherwise.  You 
will  guard  your  tongue,  monsieur,  or  I  shall  hold  you 
responsible." 

"  What  an  impudent  swashbuckler  is  this  murderer,'* 
sneered  the  Governor. 

"  I  am  no  murderer,  my  lord,"  asserted  Gerard,  hotly. 

"  He  means  he  holds  your  Grace's  pardon  for  the  deed,'* 
said  de  Proballe. 

"  It  will  not  save  you,"  declared  the  Governor,  bluntly. 
"  You  have  broken  your  word  and  must  take  the  conse- 
quences.    I  will  waste  no  time  with  you." 

"  In  what  have  I  broken  my  word  ?  " 

"  I  will  not  stoop  to  bandy  words  with  you.  I  have 
changed  my  plans ;  that  is  enough  for  you  to  know.  You 
are  no  longer  of  use  to  me.  But  you  can  have  one  chance 
to  save  your  skin.    You  came  under  the  protection  of  ray 


THE    DUKE'S    SENTENCE  121 

assurance.  You  can  leave  it  again;  and  never  dare  in 
the  future  to  show  your  villainous  face  within  my  prov- 
ince." 

"  I  shall  not  leave,"  answered  Gerard,  every  whit  as 
firmly.  "  I  have  come  for  a  purpose,  and  that  purpose 
I  shall  fulfil." 

"  Do  you  dare  to  defy  me  ?  " 

"  My  words  are  my  words  and  I  will  not  recall  them." 

"  In  God's  name,  you  are  a  brazen  scoundrel.  But  do 
not  imagine  that  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt  can  protect 
you.  She  is  not  to  be  polluted  by  a  marriage  with  such 
as  you.  More  of  this,  and  I  will  withdraw  what  I  have 
said  and  have  you  flung  into  gaol  at  once  to  pay  the 
penalty  for  your  crime." 

"  That  must  be  as  your  lordship  will.  I  will  not  leave 
Morvaix  even  at  your  bidding." 

For  the  moment  the  Duke's  fury  seemed  uncontrolla- 
ble ;  but  he  mastered  it  and  his  tone  when  next  he  spoke 
was  cold,  tense,  and  full  of  menace. 

"  It  may  be  better  so,  perhaps ;  but  you  shall  have  the 
chance  I  named.  Understand  me  plainly.  I  will  give  you 
twenty-four  hours  in  which  to  put  as  great  a  distance  as 
you  can  between  you  and  Morvaix.  At  noon  to-morrow 
my  troops  will  start  to  hunt  you  down ;  and  whenever  and 
wherever  they  find  you  I  swear  that  you  shall  die  for 
that  Cambrai  murder," 

"  Your  hounds  will  not  have  far  to  seek.  They  will 
find  me  here  in  Morvaix,"  returned  Gerard  calmly.  "  I 
am  not  unwilling  to  witness  your  methods  of  trial  and 
justice  here." 

"  You  shall  not  lack  the  chance,  I  promise  you.  One 
other  condition  for  your  life  I  make.  Before  you  leave 
the  city  you  will  return  the  paper  sent  to  you  from  me 
by  M.  de  Proballe.  For  the  rest,  look  to  yourself;  for 
as  I  live,  it  will  need  all  your  wits  and  more  than  all 
your  effrontery  to  save  you  from  my  hands." 


122        A   COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

With  that  he  turned  his  back  on  Gerard,  saying  to  de 
Proballe  that  he  would  speak  again  to  Gabrielle  before 
leaving  Malincourt.  They  walked  away  together,  and 
Gerard  turned  and  paced  the  terrace  in  busy  thought. 

One  thing  chiefly  perplexed  him — why  the  Duke  had 
shewn  this  change  of  front  and  now  wished  to  drive  him 
from  Morvaix  instead  of  seconding  the  scheme  for  the 
marriage.  It  did  not  occur  to  him  to  set  it  down  to  the 
true  cause — jealousy ;  and  he  racked  his  wits  vainly  to 
find  a  solution. 

The  only  reason  that  suggested  itself  to  him  was  one 
that  strengthened  his  resolve  to  stay — that  the  Duke's 
object  was  to  rob  Gabrielle  of  even  the  slender  protection 
which  his  presence  afforded.  If  that  were  so,  it  followed 
that  there  was  some  fresh  scheme  on  foot  to  do  Gabrielle 
immediate  hurt ;  and  in  that  view  no  consideration  what- 
ever should  induce  him  to  leave. 

But  in  such  a  case,  why  had  not  the  Governor  taken 
the  simpler  course  of  handing  him  over  to  his  soldiers 
at  once?  In  seeking  the  answer  to  that  question  Gerard 
came  much  nearer  the  truth.  If  he  were  to  run  away, 
his  flight  would  be  tantamount  to  a  confession  that  these 
charges  against  himself  were  true;  and  Gabrielle  would 
be  led  to  hold  him  for  the  villain  which  the  real  de  Cobalt 
unquestionably  was.  He  would  be  seen  to  have  pledged 
his  honour  to  her,  only  to  break  it  in  a  cowardly  flight. 

Had  the  villainous  de  Cobalt  stood  in  his  place,  he 
would  no  doubt  have  gladly  welcomed  the  chance  of 
saving  his  life  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  honour  and  of  Ga- 
brielle ;  and  the  Duke  had  acted  on  that  supposition. 

Nothing  should  induce  him  to  fall  into  the  snare  thus 
spread  for  him ;  but  at  the  same  time  he  felt  that  he 
must  take  measures  for  self-preservation.  This  Tiger 
in  his  passion  was  capable  of  going  to  any  lengths ;  and 
means  must  be  at  hand  to  restrain  him. 

He  was  still  pondering'  this  when  Gabrielle  came  out 


THE    DUKE'S    SENTENCE  123 

from  her  interview  with  the  Duke.  Her  bright  looks 
had  given  place  to  a  troubled  expression,  and  she  was 
very  pale. 

"  The  Governor  is  like  a  madman  in  his  wrath  against 
you,  Gerard,"  she  said.  "  I  have  never  seen  him  so  moved. 
Both  he  and  my  uncle  are  now  as  furious  at  the  thought 
of  our  marriage  as  before  they — or  at  least  my  uncle — 
was  eager  to  promote  it." 

"And  you,  Gabrielle?" 

"  I  know  not  how  to  act  or  what  to  say,"  she  replied 
with  a  sigh  of  despair. 

"  The  tension  of  this  morning's  scene  has  tried  you," 
he  said  gently.  "  But  you  do  not  believe  I  am  the  das- 
tard  " 

"  Gerard !  No.  I  cannot.  Every  prompting  of  my 
heart  bids  me  trust  you.  I  think  I  would  trust  you  if  all 
the  world  bore  witness  against  you.  But  there  must  surely 
be  some  explanation  of  so  great  a  mystery." 

"  You  love  me  ?  "  he  asked  with  sudden  fervour,  taking 
her  hand  and  searching  her  eyes  with  his,  in  which  the 
fire  of  love  burned.  She  left  her  hand  in  his  willingly  and 
trustingly  and  met  his  gaze  with  a  smile. 

"  Have  I  not  shown  it  ?  Do  you  need  any  other  an- 
swer ?  " 

"  With  a  love  strong  enough  to  face  even  this  trial  ?  " 
he  insisted  earnestly. 

"  I  shall  never  change,  Gerard.  Nothing  could  change 
my  heart — not  even  if  all  this  were  proven  against  you, 
as  they  both  swear  it  can  be.  It  would  break  my  heart 
and  blight  my  life;  but  my  love  would  never  change. 
And  believe  it  I  never  would  or  will,  unless  your  own 
lips  tell  me  it  is  true ;  and  even  then  my  heart  would 
rebel  against  your  v/ords." 

"  I  shall  never  tell  you  that,"  he  replied,  vehemently. 
"  Thank  God  there  is  no  reason  why  I  should  not  take 
your  hand  and  look  into  your  own  innocent  eyes  aiid 


124        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

swear  on  my  soul  that  all  this  charge  passes  me  by  as 
an  idle  breeze.  You  will  never  have  cause  to  regret  your 
sweet  trust.    That  on  my  honour." 

"  Why  have  they  made  these  charges  ?  I  am  so  sorely 
perplexed." 

"  It  will  all  appear  in  time,  Gabrielle.  There  is  dark 
and  evil  work  behind,  and  I  am  resolved  to  drag  it  to 
the  light  of  day." 

"  But  when  ?    They  tell  me  you  are  going  away  again ! 
'  IA.h,  Gerard,  my  heart  fell  at  the  news." 

"  Tis  but  one  more  falsehood.  Only  one  thing  can 
I  drive  me  from  Morvaix — your  own  sentence." 
j  "  Yet  they  urged  me  to  counsel  you  to  go,  saying  that 
if  you  stay  here  you  will  be  imprisoned.  What  is  this 
affair  at  Cambrai  which  they  call  by  the  fell  name  of  mur- 
der ?  Do  not  let  my  question  anger  you ;  but  if  there 
be  really  danger,  you  must  fly." 

"  The  Governor  would  have  me  fly  that  you  may  be 
driven  to  deem  me  the  guilty  wretch  he  describes  me. 
There  is  no  danger  to  me,  but  rather  to  them ;  to  the 
Governor  himself  indeed  most  of  all." 

"  What  would  you  do  ?  No  deed  of  violence, 
Gerard?" 

"  Violence  there  may  have  to  be ;  but  not  of  the  kind 
'  in  your  thoughts.     I  am  no  assassin,  whether  at  Cam- 
brai or  here." 

'*  Then  you  have  some  scheme  with  which  to  com- 
bat him  ?  Can  you  not  tell  me  that  ?  "  she  asked  with 
almost  wistful  eagerness. 

"  It  is  one  that  would  speak  to  your  heart,  Gabrielle, 
for  it  will  touch  the  welfare  of  all  in  Morvaix." 
'      "  Now  you  frighten  me.     Would  you  further  a  revolt 
i  here  ?     Heaven    knows    our    wretched    people    are    hot 
'  against  him  and  ripe  for  a  movement  of  the  kind.     But 
he  is  so  strong  in  his  soldiery,  the  end  would  be  but 
'  useless  bloodshed  to  be  followed  by  even  more  grind- 
ing tyranny  and  misery  for  the  city."  i 


THE    DUKE'S    SENTENXE  125 

"  Harbour  no  fears  of  that.  Stay,  what  if  I  could 
lead  a  movement  here  which,  without  the  evil  things 
that  make  your  woman's  heart  shrink,  could  yet  break 
tills  Tiger's  power  and  give  good  and  just  government 
to  the  people  ?  " 

"  It  is  not  possible,  Gerard,  You  speak  at  random. 
You  are  not  known  in  Morvaix ;  and  the  people  would 
not  follow  an  unknown  leader.  Yet  I  have  dreamed  of 
something  of  the  kind  since  you  came.  Were  you  but 
once  established  firmly  as  lord  of  Malincourt  and  had 
had  time  to  win  the  confidence  of  the  people  and  their 
trust,  as  you  would  win  it,  then — but  there,  it  is  ♦ 
no  more  than  a  dream  conjured  up  by  finding  you  the 
man  you  are."  I 

"  May  I  test  your  trust  still  further  ?  I  have  my; 
reasons,  God  knows,  for  thus  testing  you.  If  I  were  in 
very  truth  the  wretch  the  Duke  has  painted  me,  and 
yet  had  the  means  to  do  what  I  have  said  and  came  to 
you  in  the  moment  of  my  triumph  and  asked  you  to 
be  my  wife,  how  would  you  answer?"  ; 

"  I  would  lay  my  hand  in  yours  without  a  question, 
Gerard,  sure  that,  whatever  your  past,  you  had  redeemed 
it  for  my  sake."  She  gave  her  answer  without  a  falter 
or  a  second  of  hesitation. 

"  Thank  God  and  you  for  those  words  and  that  trust, 
Gabrielle,"  he  cried,  with  fervent  passion.  "  If  I  am 
ever  unworthy  of  it,  may  God  deal  with  me  for  a  traitor ! 
The  time  for  me  to  claim  you  so  will  come,  and  until 
it  comes  I  will  wait  to  seek  from  your  lips  the  kiss 
of  betrothal.  Now  am  I  sure  indeed  that  all  will  be 
well  with  us." 

"But  you  will  not  remain  in  Morvaix?"  she  asked, 
after  a  pause. 

"  Could  I  leave  you  after  this  ?  "  he  replied  tenderly. 

"  I  should  understand  the  reason  of  your  going." 

"  I  have  far  stronger  reasons  to  remain  near  you." 


126        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  I  think  you  should  not.  I  am  safe ;  but  I  fear  for 
you ;  and  my  fear  will  not  pass  while  you  remain  here. 
I  am  going  to-day  to  the  Duchess  and  shall  seek  her 
aid  and  counsel — telling  her  all." 

"To  the  Castle?" 

"  Of  a  surety  to  the  Castle.  She  has  sent  an  urgent 
message  to  see  me." 

-'By  whom?" 

"  The  Duke."  ' 

"  I  scent  trouble  in  it.  I  do  not  like  you  to  trust 
yourself  in  that  man's  power.  If  you  go,  I  shall  go 
too." 

"  You  are  needlessly  alarmed.  She  is  my  friend,  and 
as  good  a  woman  as  ever  drew  breath.  I  am  often  with 
her.  I  could  not  refuse;  but  it  would  be  madness  for 
you  to  think  of  going."  i 

"  The  term  madness  does  not  hinder  me.  For  the  part 
I  have  to  play  a  bold  front  is  not  only  necessary, 
it  is  prudence." 

"  But  you  can  serve  no  useful  end  by  such  a  venture. 
The  Duke  might  offer  you  violence,  indeed,  in  his 
anger." 

"  I  can  find  a  pretext  and  would  gladly  have  a  chance 
to  get  within  the  walls." 

"  It  may  be  less  easy  to  find  one  to  get  out,  Gerard." 

"  Even  so  the  work  I  have  to  do  would  not  be  stayed. 
I  am  firm  on  the  point." 

"  I  do  not  like  the  look  of  it ; "  and  Gabrielle's  face 
clouded. 

"  The  look  may  change  on  closer  view." 

"  Harm  will  come  of  it,  Gerard.    Let  me  prevail." 

"  When  my  work  is  done  you  shall  never  prefer  a 
request  in  vain.  But  this  you  must  not  press."  She 
yielded  then,  albeit  with  anxiety  and  misgivings ;  and 
they  went  into  the  house. 

Gerard  hastened  to  his  apartments  to  wait  for  Pascal 


THE    DUKE'S    SENTENCE  127 

and  to  complete  the  arrangements  for  striking  the  blow 
upon  which  he  had  now  decided. 

When  Pascal  arrived  the  two  had  a  long  conference, 
and  once  again  Pascal  advised  a  policy  of  caution. 

"  Don't  set  your  foot  inside  the  Castle  gates,"  he 
urged  vigorously.  "  It  can  do  no  good  and  may  work 
incalculable  mischief." 

"  Would  you  go  in  my  stead  ?  " 

"  With  all  the  willingness  in  life." 

"  And  shall  the  leader  shirk  the  risk  which  his  fol- 
lowers would  take?  Is  it  thus  we  Bourbon  leaders 
lead?" 

"  That  is  no  reason.  There  are  times,  of  course,  when 
the  leader  should  be  first,  but  this  is  not  one  of  them. 
You  know  what  sort  of  wild  beast  government  this  is 
in  Morvaix;  you  have  now  ample  cause  to  do  all  you 
will  against  the  Governor ;  ride  out  then  to  Cambrai  and 
yourself  bring  up  the  troops." 

"  Shall  a  Bourbon  give  men  cause  to  sneer  at  him  for 
a  coward?  Nay,  Pascal,  you  would  but  anger  me  to 
press  such  counsel  further." 

"  But  your  life  to  me  and  to  us  all  is  too  precious  to 
be  risked  in  such  a  venture.  I  know  what  Dubois 
would  urge  were  he  here.    Still,  let  it  be  as  you  will." 

"  I  am  not  risking  my  life,  man.  Do  you  think  this 
Duke,  daredevil  though  he  be,  will  venture  to  harm 
Bourbon's  son  when  once  I  declare  myself?  His  own 
soldiers  would  revolt  against  it.  No  man  shall  call  me 
poltroon;  and  none  has  ever  before  advised  me  to  de- 
serve such  a  term." 

"  There  you  wrong  me,  Gerard.  But  I  say  no 
more.  Pray  heaven  no  harm  come  of  it.  It  was  my 
duty  to  urge  this  counsel,  but  I  knew  you  would  not 
so  act ; "  and  Pascal  smiled. 

"  To  our  plans  then.  Another  messenger  must  be 
found  to  ride   to  Cambrai   with  all  the  haste  possible 


128        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

and  carry  this  message  to  my  cousin.  In  it  I  have 
urged  him  to  bring  up  the  troops  with  all  despatch.  If 
your  courier  of  this  morning  gets  first  to  hand,  d'Alem- 
bert  will  be  already  preparing;  if  not,  this  urgent  mes- 
sage will  hurry  him.  If  our  messenger  gets  quickly  to 
him  some  eight-and-forty  hours  should  see  him  without 
the  city  here;  and  I  have  told  him  to  ride  straight  in 
unless  a  messenger  from  me  meets  him  with  a  further 
despatch.  By  nightfall,  on  the  day  after  to-morrow  at 
latest,  he  should  be  here ;  and  within  that  short  space  no 
great  harm  can  happen  to  either  Mademoiselle  de  Malin- 
court  or  to  me,  let  this  Governor  do  what  he  will." 

"  'Twould  be  a  shrewder  plan  to  get  her  to  ride  with 
you  to  Cambrai  and  return  with  the  troops,"  said  Pascal. 

"  The  thought  has  not  escaped  me ;  and  it  may  come 
to  it  yet.  We  shall  see.  Failing  it,  I  have  this  plan :  Let 
Dubois  or  yourself  choose  some  likely  place  in  the  city 
to  which  our  fellows  can  be  brought,  so  that  at  need, 
should  trouble  come,  we  can  make  a  stand." 

"  That  is  more  to  my  liking,"  said  Pascal,  gleefully. 

"  And  lastly  for  yourself,  Pascal.  Don't  return  here, 
but  don  once  more  your  monk's  gown ;  and  when  the 
task  I  have  given  you  is  completed,  go  to  the  Castle  and 
keep  )'Our  eyes  open.  There,  if  anywhere,  trouble  may 
be  looked  for,  and  your  ready  wit  will  be  most  needed." 

"  You  will  at  least  let  me  be  near  you,"  said  Pascal 
earnestly. 

"  I  know  your  zeal  and  friendship  too  well  to  hesitate 
to  send  for  you  at  the  first  touch  of  danger.  But  I  look 
for  none  of  any  serious  character.  And  now,"  he  broke 
off,  rising,  "  it  is  time  for  this  visit  to  the  Castle.  I 
must  find  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt." 

Gabrielle  was  waiting  for  him  and  again  urged  him 
not  to  go. 

"  I  have  a  presentiment,"  she  said.  "  Let  me  dissuade 
you  at  the  last  moment  from  this  ill-omened  daring." 


THE    DUKE'S    SENTENCE  129 

**  I  should  rather  read  the  omens  ill  if  I  were  to  leave 
you  or  suffer  you  to  go  alone,  Gabrielle." 

"  Is  there  nothing  I  can  say  or  do  that  will  urge  you 
to  fly?" 

"  Nothing,  nothing ;  unless,''  he  added  with  a  half- 
serious  smile — "  unless  you  wouIq  share  the  flight.  And 
that  I  cannot  ask — yet." 

She  started  and  looked  to  read  his  face,  and  after  a 
moment  answered — 

"  I  am  a  Malincourt,  and  my  place,  for  good  or  ill,  is 
in  Morvaix." 

"  And  where  is  mine  if  not  by  your  side  ?  " 

Nothing  more  was  said,  and  they  set  out,  Gabrielle 
so  chilled  by  a  presentiment  of  danger  that  her  look  was 
serious  and  troubled. 


CHAPTER    XII 
gabrielle's  friend 

THE  Duke  carried  away  from  Malincourt  a  heart 
bitter  with  jealousy  and  black  with  anger,  and 
he  vented  his  passion  upon  de  Proballe,  whom 
he  chose  to  regard  as  the  cause  of  all  the  trouble. 

"  You  have  betrayed  my  confidence  shamefully.  You 
have  doubtless  your  own  ends  to  gain,  as  that  letter 
hinted ;  but  they  will  cost  you  dear,  whatever  they  are, 
monsieur." 

"  Betrayed  you  ?  How  ?  "  asked  de  Proballe,  exceed- 
ingly uneasy  as  he  thought  his  ulterior  plans  might  be 
suspected.  "  What  have  I  done  other  than  as  we 
agreed  ?  " 

"  Did  we  agree  that  this  scoundrel  was  so  to  arrange 
the  manner  of  his  coming  as  to  impress  your  niece  in  this 
way?    Was  he  to  flaunt  himself  as  a  man  of  spirit  and  i 
courage   and  impose  thus  on  a  young,  impressionable, 
high-minded  girl  ?  " 

"  Did  I  order  the  manner  of  his  coming?  You  wrong 
me  entirely.  His  secret  coming  was  as  much  a  surprise 
to  me  as  an  offence  to  you ;  and  that  he  was  able  to 
make  this  impression  on  Gabrielle  was  not  my  doing 
but  the  blundering  of  your  own  men.  Your  soldiers  first 
in  the  market  place ;  your  followers,  de  Cavannes  and 
d'Estelle,  afterwards  in  their  attack  upon  Denys  in 
Gabrielle's  very  presence  when  Gerard  was  at  hand." 

"  Would  God  they  had  killed  him !  "  exclaimed  the 
Duke  brutally.  "  But  after  the  affair  in  the  market  place 
you  should  have  told  me." 

130 


GABRIELLE'S    FRIEND  131 

"  Xay,  that  is  an  even  greater  injustice  than  ever. 
Who  of  us  even  guessed  that  the  man  was  de  Cobalt  ?  " 
De  Proballe's  tone  was  a  good  imitation  of  injured  in- 
nocence. 

"  You  have  betrayed  me,  I  say ;  and  if  the  thing  mis- 
carries you  shall  suffer,"  returned  the  Governor,  in  no 
mood  to  listen  to  any  reason,  "  You  should  have  stopped 
the  mischief  as  soon  as  you  saw  it  was  going  so  far." 

"It  happened  but  yesterday." 

*'  God's  Cross !  man,  what  has  that  to  do  with  it  ?  Is 
a  miscliief  like  this  to  be  counted  by  hours  ?  Was  it  ever 
in  our  plan  that  the  villain  should  win  your  niece's 
heart  ?" 

"  He  had  at  least  to  make  such  an  impression  as  would 
induce  her  to  consent  to  marry  him.  It  is  but  a  passing 
fancy  which  the  proof  of  his  evil  character  will  cure — 
and  his  flight  will  prove  it  better  than  aught  else." 

"  Passing  fancy !  "  exclaimed  the  Duke  bitterly.  "  Are 
you  blind?  I  know  not  when  I  have  so  keenly  suffered. 
But  if  he  do  not  fly,  he  shall  suffer  too." 

"  He  is  not  fool  enough  to  remain.  It  was  a  shrewd 
thought  to  give  him  time  to  cool  and  think ;  and  if  he 
have  any  mind  to  linger,  I  will  find  arguments  to  drive 
him  away.  He  has  yet  to  learn  your  methods  of  justice 
here  in  Morvaix:  I  can  find  in  them  ample  reasons  for 
him.  Although  why  you  let  him  go  instead  of  dealing 
with  him  at  once  I  do  not  see." 

"If  he  flies,  his  flight  will  be,  as  you  say,  the 
proof  of  his  guilt." 

"  He  will  fly,"  said  de  Proballe,  confidently.  "  Did  he 
not  shun  your  province  as  a  man  would  shun  hell?  Did 
he  not  refuse  to  come  without  that  promise  of  pardon  in 
writing?  By  a  man's  acts  you  shall  know  him,  not  by 
his  words.  Let  him  think  of  Gabrielle  as  he  will,  he 
will  think  more  of  his  own  life.  But  I  would  have  kept 
him." 


122        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

"  Wlicn  his  flight  has  proved  his  guilt  he  can  be  re-* 
taken  for  me  to  use." 

De  Proballe  laughed.  "  You  have  a  mercy  of  your 
own,  Duke.  I  had  not  thought  of  that.  Stay,  what  if 
he  were  to  use  this  interval  of  your  mercy  to  prevail 
on  Gabrielle  to  fly  with  him?    He  is  daredevil  enough." 

"  She  would  never  stoop  to  that,  surely !  " 

"  Women  are  women,  and  when  they  are  in — when  a 
man  influences  them,  I  mean,  the  best  will  do  strange 
things." 

"  Return  to  Malincourt  and  watch,  de  Proballe.  Your 
niece  is  to  come  to  the  Castle  two  hours  after  noon.  Make 
this  flight  impossible  after  then ;  and  after  that  I  will 
see  to  it  that  no  chance  offers  for  her  to  leave  even  the 
Castle  itself.  If  the  mad  attempt  be  made,  have  the 
scoundrel  seized  and  brought  to  me." 

De  Proballe  was  by  no  means  sorry  to  get  away  from 
the  Governor  in  his  present  mood,  and  returned  to 
Malincourt  to  keep  the  watch ;  while  the  Governor  hur- 
ried on  to  the  Castle  to  take  further  steps  designed  to 
prevent  this  suggested  flight ;  and  some  of  them  were  to 
have  important  results  in  another  direction. 

He  despatched  a  body  of  soldiers  to  watch  round 
Malincourt,  and  at  the  same  time  sent  urgent  commands 
to  the  officers  of  the  different  gates  of  the  city  that  no 
one  was  to  be  allowed  to  pass  out  without  leave  signed  by 
him.  Thus  it  came  about  that  the  courier  whom  Pascal 
was  sending  to  Cambrai  was  stopped,  and  valuable  time 
lost. 

The  Governor,  having  completed  these  arrangements, 
was  closeted  for  an  hour  with  his  wife,  and  as  soon  as  he 
heard,  to  his  intense  relief,  that  Gabrielle  had  arrived  at 
the  Castle  and  was  with  the  Duchess,  he  sent  for  Dubois 
to  sound  him  in  regard  to  that  part  of  the  plan  which 
called  for  the  aid  of  the  Church. 

He  was  as  hot  now  upon  the  scheme  of  divorcing  his 


GABRIELLE'S  FRIEND  133 

\\ife  in  order  to  be  free  to  marry  again,  as  he  had  beer^ 
formerly  upon  the  other  intention. 

The  ruse  by  which  Gerard  had  succeeded  in  getting" 
a  hundred  of  his  own  soldiers  enrolled  among  the  Castle 
troops,  by  pretending  that  they  came  as  a  gift  from 
the  Cardinal  Archbishop,  was  thus  having  singular 
results.  The  Governor  read  it  as  a  proof  that  he  stood 
so  well  with  the  Cardinal  that  he  could  hope  to  receive 
his  Eminence's  support  in  the  matter  of  the  divorce ;  and 
as  he  concluded  Dubois  had  been  chosen  as  the  Cardinal's 
delegate  because  of  the  latter 's  confidence  in  him,  here 
was  the  very  man  at  hand  to  sound  on  the  matter. 

Dubois  was  a  clever  soldier  and  a  brave  fighter,  and 
had  been  selected  by  Gerard  for  his  present  task  because 
his  influence  with  the  men  was  most  likely  to  keep  them 
in  bounds  while  in  the  Castle.  He  made  a  very  brusque 
unmonklike  monk,  however ;  and  he  now  found  himself 
in  a  very  awkward  position.  Moreover,  he  knew  nothing 
of  Gerard's  experiences  within  the  last  few  hours. 

He  listened  quietly  to  the  Duke,  and,  seeing  no  con- 
nection between  the  matter  and  any  of  Gerard's  affairs, 
felt  no  interest  in  it  at  all,  and  gave  his  own  opinion 
bluntly.  He  was  a  soldier,  not  a  cleric ;  knew  little  and 
cared  less  about  the  theological  views  as  to  the  dissolu- 
tion of  a  tie  cemented  by  a  sacrament  of  the  Church ; 
and  the  only  thought  he  had  about  it  was  that  as  the 
Tiger  Governor  was  such  a  tyrant,  it  v/as  a  blessing  and 
not  a  curse  that  he  was  childless — the  point  on  which 
with  him  the  Duke  laid  the  chief  stress. 

"  His  Eminence  would  never  sanction  it,  my  lord," 
he  declared  brusquelv.  "  It  is  against  the  Canon  of 
Holy  Church." 

"  But  it  has  been  sanctioned  before  now,"  replied  the 
Governor,  and  went  on  to  cite  instances  and  to  argue 
the  matter.  Dubois  had,  however,  only  one  reply  to 
everjthing. 


134        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  The  Cardinal  would  never  sanction  it ; "  and  his 
dogged  insistence  upon  this  began  at  length  to  enrage 
the  Governor,  not  a  little  to  Dubois'  grim  amusement. 

"  I  would  rather  have  the  countenance  of  the  Church, 
but  in  Morvaix  I  am  the  head  of  the  Church  as  of  all 
else.  I  am  wont  to  act  first  and  inquire  afterwards  in 
most  things.  It  is  simpler,  and  the  end  is  the  same.  This 
may  be  such  a  case.  If  I  should  seek  your  help  as  the 
Cardinal's  representative  you  would  give  it  ?  " 

"  It  is  none  of  my  affair,"  replied  Dubois  hastily. 

"  I  repeat  my  question ; "  and  the  Governor  looked  at 
him  meaningly.  But  Dubois  was  the  last  man  in  the 
world  to  be  browbeaten;  and  thus  he  answered  stolidly: 

"  And  I  repeat  my  answer,  my  lord." 

"  I  am  not  wont  to  be  set  at  defiance  by  monk  or 
priest." 

"  Nor  I  to  be  driven  from  my  duty,  my  lord.  I  am 
not  setting  you  at  defiance." 

"  My  priests  in  Morvaix  do  not  answer  me  thus." 

"  I  am  not  your  lordship's  priest." 

"  You  will  at  least  keep  silence  about  what  has  passed 
between  us." 

"  Unless  my  duty  demand  that  I  should  speak  of  it.'* 

"  What  is  that  but  threatening  me  and  defying  me  ?  '* 
The  Governor's  anger  was  mounting  fast  in  view  of 
what  he  deemed  the  monk's  contumacy,  and  Dubois  was 
no  less  dogged  and  blunt. 

"If  what  you  propose  to  do  be  right,  what  need  is 
there  for  silence ;  if  it  be  wrong,  why  should  my  lips  be 
sealed  ?  "  he  answered. 

"  Secrets  confided  to  the  ears  of  you  holy  men  are  to 
be  regarded  as  sacred." 

"  This  is  no  such  occasion.  You  sought  my  opinion 
and  I  gave  it.  That  is  all.  My  duty  is  my  duty,  none  the 
less  or  more." 

"  Peace  with  your  canting  about  duty.     You  are  in 


GABRIELLE'S    FRIEND  135 

Morvaix  now,  and  I  will  settle  what  is  your  duty.  I 
rule  here,  absolutely." 

"  I  am  not  disputing  your  rule,  my  lord ;  but  I  was 
not  sent  here  to  do  your  bidding  or  to  cease  to  do  what 
I  deem  my  duty." 

"  Out  of  my  sight.  It  is  such  canting  hypocrites  as 
you  who  sow  discord  and  do  mischief.  See  to  it  that 
you  hold  your  babbling  tongue,  or  I'll  find  means  to 
silence  you."  But  Dubois  fired  at  this  injustice  and  an- 
swered hotly — 

"  I  am  no  canting  hypocrite,  my  lord,  nor  am  I  a 
recreant  coward  to  flinch  and  cringe  before  your  angry 
looks  and  passionate  words.  They  do  but  convince  me 
that  in  this  thing  you  have  some  evil  purpose;  and  not 
in  Morvaix,  no,  nor  in  all  France,  is  there  power  to 
silence  me  if  I  think  I  ought  to  speak." 

"  Out  of  my  presence  before  I  send  for  my  guards 
to  drive  you  away  for  a  pestilent  ribald  malcontent." 

"  I  came  of  your  seeking,  not  of  my  own  wish,"  re- 
turned Dubois,  not  one  whit  abashed  by  the  Governor's 
violence. 

"  If  I  have  cause  to  send  for  you  again  you  will 
repent  it." 

"  I  am  in  no  ways  persuaded  of  that,"  returned  Dubois, 
sturdily;  and  he  swung  out  of  the  room,  little  think- 
ing that  he  had  done  harm  to  Gerard  by  his  manful 
attitude.  Yet  in  a  way  he  had ;  for  the  Governor, 
revolving  what  had  passed,  determined  not  to  take  the 
risk  of  applying  to  the  Cardinal,  but  to  hurry  on  his 
marriage,  and  leave  the  Church  to  interfere  when  it 
would  have  the  accomplished  fact  to  face. 

Had  Dubois  but  known,  he  would  have  been  more 
prudent  to  have  appeared  to  consent  to  the  Governor's 
plans  and  to  have  held  out  to  him  the  hope  of  the 
Cardinal's  consent,  so  that  he  might  have  been  induced 
to  incur  the  delay  necessary  to  obtain  it.     He  saw  this 


136        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

when  Gerard  pointed  it  out  to  him  later.     But  it  was 
too  late  then. 

In  the  meantime  the  Duchess  had  received  Gabrielle 
with  even  greater  tenderness  and  love  than  usual ;  and 
it  was  some  time  before  she  began  to  work  round  slowly 
to  the  subject  of  the  Duke's  wishes. 

"  I  am  old,  feeble,  and  bed-ridden,  Gabrielle,  and 
worse  than  all,  childless.  I  am  done  with  the  world, 
dear,  and  willing  to  give  place  to  one  who  can  play  my 
part  better.  It  would  have  been  better,  far  better,  had 
I  died  years  ago." 

"  Then  I  should  have  lacked  the  truest  woman  friend 
a  girl  could  have,"  answered  Gabrielle  sweetly.  "  But 
you  must  not  yield  to  this  melancholy.  You  have  been 
in  greater  pain  than  usual,  I  fear,  and  it  has  tried  you." 

"  Not  of  body,  child,  but  of  mind,  perhaps,"  and  she 
sighed.  "  It  is  ill  to  lag  on  and  on,  a  weary  dreary 
nuisance  to  all  around  you.  There  comes  a  time  when 
it  is  good  to  die." 

"  You  are  morbid.  Something  has  distressed  you. 
Tell  me,"  and  Gabrielle  sat  on  the  bedside  and  took  her 
friend's  hand. 

"  I  have  been  a  failure,  child.  I  see  it  now ;  and  see 
how  the  people  under  the  Duke's  rule  have  suffered  in 
consequence.    The  Duke  himself  has  shown  me  this." 

"  The  Duke  ?  "  exclaimed  Gabrielle  in  surprise. 

"  The  influence  of  a  woman's  hand  in  his  governing 
has  been  sadly  missed.  He  loved  me  once,  child,  and 
then  I  could  sway  him,  hard  though  he  now  seems.  But 
when  I  bore  him  no  children  and  my  helplessness  fell 
on  me,  an  estrangement  grew  between  us  and  from  that 
followed,  oh,  so  many  evils."  She  sighed  deeply,  and 
paused  before  she  added :  "Yet  he  has  shown  me  it  is 
not  too  late,  even  now." 

"  I  cannot  follow  you  now,  dear,"  said  Gabrielle. 
,     "  A  noble  without  a  son  to  succeed  him  lacks  one  of 


GABRIELLE'S   FRIEND  137 

the  great  incentives  to  do  right,  Gabrielle.  He  turns 
his  thoughts  inwards,  broods,  thinks  only  of  himself,  and 
grows  the  harder  for  the  galling  grief  and  disappoint- 
ment. It  has  been  so  with  the  Duke.  If  I  had  but  died 
years  ago,  when  first  my  calamity  struck  me  down,  he 
would  have  taken  another  wife  who  would  have  borne 
him  children.    Would  God  indeed  that  I  had  died ! " 

Gabrielle  said  nothing.  Deep  down  in  her  mind  the 
thought  began  to  take  shape  that  there  was  some  pur- 
pose behind  her  friend's  words — some  new  cause  to 
bring  this  side  of  her  sufferings  to  the  light  just  now. 

"  I  used  to  pray  so  earnestly  for  a  son,"  the  Duchess 
continued,  after  a  painful  pause ;  "  but  none  came ;  and 
I  was  thus  so  unneeded,  so  less  than  useless ;  a  clog,  a 
drag,  a  dead  weight  in  his  life.  I  could  not  wonder  he 
grew  cold,  and  that  in  time  the  coldness  hardened  into 
cruelty.  I  stood  for  no  more  than  the  disappointment 
in  his  life,"  She  spoke  in  a  slow,  leaden,  hopeless, 
melancholy  tone,  infinitely  touching  to  Gabrielle.  "  It  is  a 
dreary  fate  for  a  wife,  child,  to  stir  no  other  feeling  in 
her  husband's  heart  than  that  of  disappointment  and  to 
see  it  hardening  slowly  into  hate.  Had  I  but  dared  at 
that  time  I  would  have  taken  my  life.  But  I  was  a 
coward.    I  dared  not  find  freedom  in  that  way." 

"  Did  the  Duke  know  of  these  thoughts  ?  "  asked  Gabri- 
elle, keeping  her  face  averted. 

"  Whether  he  could  read  mine  as  I  could  read  his,  I 
know  not.  I  saw  him  only  rarely.  This  has  been  so  for 
many  years  indeed.  That  he  should  speak  often  of  our 
childlessness,  should  even  taunt  me  with  it,  was  perhaps 
no  more  than  natural — and  yet  every  word  was  like  a 
sword-thrust  in  my  heart.  More  than  once  I  made 
him  a  proposal." 

"Yes?" 

"  It  was  my  own  thought,"  continued  the  Duchess, 
smoothing  Gabrielle's  hair  and  petting  her.  "  Quite  my 


138        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

own.  You  know  how  the  idea  of  self-sacrifice  will  some- 
times seize  upon  us  women  till  it  becomes  alfnost  a  desire. 
It  was  so  with  me.  I  knew  it  would  be  so  well  for 
Morvaix  if  he  could  have  some  one  by  his  side,  heart- 
warm  in  the  desire  to  help  the  people,  strong  in  influence 
to  modify  the  ever  growing  sternness  of  his  rule  by 
gentle  suasive  counsel — he  is  at  heart  a  man  amenable 
to  such  influence,  Gabrielle — and  able  to  take  a  due  part 
in  the  work  of  government :  a  helpmeet  in  all  ways.  So 
I  urged  him  to  gain  the  sanction  of  Holy  Church  to  dis- 
solve our  marriage,  on  the  ground  of  our  childlessness, 
and  seek — another  and  a  better  wife." 

"  My  dear,  my  dear,"  cried  Gabrielle,  intensely  moved. 
^*  Where  could  he  find  a  better  in  all  fair  France  than 
you  ?    He  refused  you,  of  course." 

"  Yes — then ;  and  not  kindly,  but  with  a  gibe — that 
he  had  not  found  marriage  an  experience  he  wished  to 
double.  It  wounded  me  of  course  to  have  what  I  meant 
in  all  sincerity  to  be  a  help  to  him  thus  turned  to  jeering; 
but  he  did  not  understand  my  motive,  I  think.  But  now 
he  has  gone  back  to  the  plan ;  for  there  is  one,  a  woman 
among  women,  Gabrielle,  who  would  be  all  that  Morvaix 
could  desire  as  his  wife.  And  the  one  of  all  others  whom 
I  could  best  bear  to  see  filling  my  place." 

She  paused  for  Gabrielle  to  speak;  but  no  response 
came. 

"  Her  heart,  like  mine,  is  for  the  people's  weal  and  her 
influence  would  be  far  greater  than  mine  could  ever  have 
been  with  the  citizens ;  real,  powerful,  active,  where  mine 
is  now  dead.  You  have  often  told  me  how  you  love  the 
people,  Gabrielle." 

"  You  must  say  no  more,"  answered  Gabrielle,  in  a 
low  firm  voice.  "  I  will  not  affect  to  misunderstand  you, 
and  I  know  you  speak  in  all  purity  of  thought  and  intent. 
But  were  all  other  considerations  naught,  I  would  never 
do  you  this  wrong." 


GABRIELLE'S    FRIEND  139 

"  He  and  all  would  honour  you  if  you  were  his  wife, 
Gabrielle." 

"  Nay,  I  should  dishonour  myself.  I  beg  you  say  no 
more." 

"  You  would  be  all-powerful  to  rule  in  Morvaix." 

"  Were  the  throne  of  France  the  gfuerdon  I  would  not 
consent." 

"  Your  heart  is  free,  child  ?  "  The  gentle  eyes  were 
full  on  Gabrielle's  face  as  the  question  was  put,  and  the 
light  that  rushed  to  it  did  not  escape  them.  "  Gabrielle, 
my  Gabrielle,  I  did  not  know;"  and  at  that  Gabrielle 
lowered  her  head  and  hid  it  on  her  friend's  heart.  "  Pray 
heaven  he  is  worthy  of  you.  Tell  me,  child.  Or  is  it  a 
secret  ?  " 

"  No  secret,"  said  Gabrielle,  lifting  her  head  proudly. 
"  My  cousin,  Gerard  de  Cobalt " 

"  Gabrielle,  not  he,  surely  not  he,  I  trust,"  interposed 
the  Duchess,  in  a  tone  of  dismay.  ''  Oh,  how  I  am 
punished  for  not  having  spoken  my  fears.  Since  last  we 
spoke  together  of  him  and  his  coming,  I  have  heard  ill 
tidings  indeed  concerning  him,  but  put  off  speaking  to 
warn  you  until  I  could  be  certain.  He  is  not  worthy  of 
you,  child ;  far,  far  from  it." 

"  You  have  not  seen  him  and  spoken  with  him,  or  yoa 
would  not  say  that." 

"When  did  become?" 

"  But  yesterday ;  or  rather,  two  days  past ;"  and 
Gabrielle  told  of  the  meeting  in  the  market  place  and 
after  at  Malincourt. 

"  It  is  a  tragedy,"  was  the  Duchess's  comment.  "  And 
you  love  him !  Oh,  Gabrielle,  Gabrielle,  what  sorrow  is 
there  not  in  store  for  you !  " 

"  Not  through  him,"  was  the  confident  reply. 

"  Alas !  child,  what  do  you  know  of  men  who  judge 
them  by  a  comely  face  and  a  fair  speaking  tongue? 
When  could  a  man  not  speak  a  maiden  fairly?     Have 


I4Q        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

they  not  told  you  of  his  evil  life?  Of  the  crime  for 
which  he  craved  the  Duke's  pardon  fore  ever  he  set  foot 
in  the  city  ?  " 

"  My  heart  is  closed  to  the  voice  of  slander  against 
him,  dear,"  replied  Gabrielle,  in  the  same  proud  confident 
tone. 

"  How  like  a  maiden  in  love !  But  alas !  my  child,  I 
know  these  things  are  true.  His  life  is  forfeit  for  the 
one  deed — but  one  among  many  in  his  black  life.  Oh, 
Gabrielle,  how  terrible,  how  terrible !  It  will  break  your 
life  even  worse  than  mine  has  been  broken." 

"  I  have  neither  fears  for  him  nor  doubts  for  myself." 

"  When  the  heart  is  young  how  easy  to  be  confident. 
How  sad  and  more  than  sad  is  all  this !  And  here,  then, 
is  the  reason  why  my  words  found  your  ears  deaf,  is  it  ?  " 

"  Only  in  part.  Had  I  never  seen  Gerard,  my  answer 
had  been  the  same." 

The  Duchess  sighed  and  shivered  slightly  in  fear. 

'*  The  Duke  will  hear  your  decision  unwillingly, 
Gabrielle;  and  it  will  harden  his  heart  against  the  man 
who  thus  comes  between  you  and  him.  Your  cup  of 
suffering  will  be  full  indeed  even  while  you  are  so  young. 
He  had  built  upon  this  marriage ;  thinking  by  it  to  join, 
the  influence  of  your  house  of  Malincourt  with  his." 

"  I  recall  now  how  he  spoke  of  my  having  some  in- 
fluence in  the  governing  of  the  city,  and  of  some  sacrifice 
to  be  made  by  me.  This  may  have  been  in  his  thoughts ; 
and  yet  almost  in  the  same  breath  he  had  spoken  of  my 
marriage  to  my  cousin.  'Twas  inexplicable  to  me  then, 
and  is  even  more  so  now.  Yet  the  thing  was  not  more 
possible  then  than  now.  Did  death  itself  gape  full  in 
front  of  me,  I  would  not  be  his  wife."  There  was  no 
mistaking  the  unalterable  firmness  of  her  decision, 

"  You  have  an  honest  heart  and  soul,  Gabrielle,  and 
were  I  you,  and  so  placed  as  you,  I  should  decide  as 
you." 


GABRIELLE'S    FRIEND  141 

"You  uphold  me,  then?" 

"  I  told  the  Duke  I  was  sure  what  your  reply  would 
be  when  he  laid  on  me  the  ungrateful  task  of  questioning 
you.  Yet  in  a  way  I  am  sorry ;  for  if  it  be  not  you,  it 
may  be  some  one  less  worthy,  to  the  hurt  of  all  in 
Morvaix." 

"  And  if  need  should  come,  you  will  stand  by  me  as 
to  my  cousin  ?  " 

"  Have  I  ever  failed  you  when  I  had  the  power  to 
help?  But  in  this  I  am  powerless.  It  would  be  wrong 
to  give  you  fruitless  hope.  Were  he  but  a  good  man, 
worthy  of  your  sweet  pure  love,  how  gladly  would  I 
serve  you,  if  serve  any  one  I  can  in  my  helplessness." 

Gabrielle  smiled.  "  I  will  prove  him  worthy — ^nay,  not 
I,  he  himself  will  prove  it  to  Morvaix  and  the  world; 
and  then  I  will  claim  your  promise." 

"  Nor  claim  it  in  vain,  Gabrielle ;  that  you  know.  And 
now  let  us  speak  of  less  trying  matters.  I  am  weary," 
said  the  Duchess,  and  they  were  thus  engaged  when  the 
Governor  entered. 

Gabrielle  rose,  and  the  Duke  first  cast  a  sharp  ques- 
tioning glance  at  his  wife's  face — 

"  I  am  always  glad  to  find  you  here,  mademoiselle.  I 
trust  you  have  had  long  enough  time  to  come  to  an 
understanding?  " 

"  I  have  done  my  utmost,  Charles,"  said  the  Duchess, 
shrinkingly. 

"  I  ask  no  more.  May  I  beg  some  words  with  you, 
mademoiselle  ?  " 

"  Except  on  one  subject,  certainly,"  replied  Gabrielle. 

"  We  will  discuss  the  exceptions  in  private,"  he 
returned  with  a  frown. 

"  I  beg  you  to  excuse  me,  my  lord." 

His  answer  was  characteristic.  He  opened  the  door 
leading  to  an  adjoining  room  and  held  it  for  her  to 
pass  out. 


142        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  Pardon  me  my  insistence.  What  I  have  to  say  must 
be  in  private  and  cannot  wait." 

For  a  moment  Gabrielle  rebelled,  raising  her  head 
proudly  and  meeting  his  gaze  firmly. 

"  I  repeat,  must  be  in  private,  mademoiselle,"  he  said, 
adding  as  an  afterthought :  "  And  it  cannot  fail  to 
interest  you,  seeing  whom  it  concerns." 

She  went  then  and  he  followed,  maintaining  silence 
until  they  were  alone. 

"  There  must  be  no  misunderstanding  between  us,  my 
lord,"  cried  Gabrielle,  at  once  throwing  down  the  gauge 
of  defiance.  "The  Duchess,  your  wife  and  my  dear  friend, 
has  at  your  instigation  made  me  acquainted  with  your 
proposal — a  proposal  I  deem  infamous  and  unholy — and 
no  power  you  can  exert  can  bring  me  even  to  consider 
it.  I  pray  you  spare  me  the  pain  of  any  further  refer- 
ence to  it." 

"  You  are  wrong  to  meet  me  thus  at  the  outset  with 
antagonism.  You  have  heard  as  yet  but  one  side  only, 
and  must  bear  with  me  while  I  speak  of  the  other.  I  am 
far  from  being  your  enemy.  Heaven  knows." 

"  While  matters  remain  as  they  are,  I  cannot  count 
your  lordship  among  my  friends." 

"  Those  are  hard  words  to  hear,  mademoiselle.  You 
mean  ?  " 

"  I  mean  the  slanders  you  have  sanctioned  against  my 
cousin  and  the  threats  with  which  you  have  menaced  him. 
His  cause  is  mine ;  his  enemies  are  my  enemies." 

He  made  a  stern,  angry  gesture,  but  held  his  temper 
in  check. 

"  The  Duchess  has  told  you  my  wishes — that  of  her  own 
will  and  at  her  own  desire  our  marriage  should  be  dis- 
solved, in  order  that  you  may  become  my  wife.  But  my 
full  motive  she  could  not  tell  you  because  she  does  not 
know  it.  It  is — that  I  love  you,  Gabrielle;  love,  aye, 
worship  the  very  ground  you  tread  and  the  very  air  you 
breathe.    For  me  all  France  holds  no " 


GABRIELLE'S    FRIEND  143 

"  Spare  me  this  added  shame,  my  lord,"  Gabrielle 
broke  in,  her  voice  vibrating  and  her  eyes  flaming  with 
indignation. 

"  Shame !  "  he  repeated,  with  an  angry  start. 

"  What  is  it  but  shame,  the  wrong  you  would  do  ta 
the  purest  and  sweetest  wife  man  ever  had;  what  else 
but  shame  that  you  should  offer  to  prostrate  your  gov-  , 
ernment  to  your  own  purposes;  what  but  foulest  shame 
that  almost  within  hearing  of  the  woman  you  would  thus 
wrong  you  seek  to  pollute  my  ears  with  this  infamous 
profession?  If  there  be  a  spark  of  manhood  in  you, 
kindle  it  till  it  light  up  your  soul  sufficiently  to  save  you 
and  me  from  this  unholy  degradation." 

"  Your  passion  but  whets  my  love,  Gabrielle.  I  am  not 
a  man  to  be  set  aside  from  a  purpose  once  formed.  My 
purpose  is  now  set — you  shall  be  my  wife;  and  neither 
man  nor  devil  nor  God  shall  turn  me," 

"  I  have  but  one  word,  then.  I  hold  your  offer  to  be 
vile  and  degrading,  and  I  would  rather  die  than  falter 
for  an  instant  in  repudiating  it." 

"  You  will  not  turn  me,"  he  repeated.  "  I  have  offered 
you  my  love — a  love  that  burns  in  me  as  a  consuming 
fire — and  you  think  to  put  it  aside  with  indignation  and 
contempt.  But  there  are  other  emotions  fighting  for  me 
than  love.    And  fear  is  one  of  them." 

"  I  do  not  fear  your  lordship,"  flashed  Gabrielle,  with. 
lofty  pride. 

"  Yet  there  is  none  in  Alorvaix  to  protect  you  from 
me. 

"  My  cousin  Gerard " 

"  He  has  fled  the  city,  like  the  craven,  guilty,  worthless 
wretch  he  is,"  he  answered  contemptuously. 

"  It  is  not  true,  my  lord.  He  is  here  in  your  castle. 
He  came  with  me,  foreseeing  more  clearly  than  I  the 
purpose  with  which  you  brought  me  here.  He  came  for 
my  protection.     And  he  is  no  craven  guilty  wretch  as 


144        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

you  say,  but  a  good  and  true  man:  the  man,  my  lord, 
whom  I  love,  and  whose  wife  I  shall  be,  by  the  grace 
of  God." 

He  stood  fighting  with  the  tempest  of  rage  which  this 
proud  avowal  provoked  and  was  still  striving  for  self- 
restraint,  when  an  interruption  occurred.  Someone  came 
to  the  door,  and  when,  with  an  angry  exclamation,  he 
opened  it,  he  found  a  messenger  from  de  Proballe. 

"  Your  Grace,  M.  le  Baron  de  Proballe  desires  me  to 
say  that  he  seeks  the  favour  of  an  immediate  audience 
with  you  on  matters  of  the  most  urgent  importance  affect- 
ing closely  M.  de  Cobalt,"  said  the  man. 

"He  has  not  fled,  you  say?"  cried  the  Duke,  turning 
to  Gabrielle,  and  jumping  to  the  conclusion  that  that 
was  the  news.  His  manner  was  full  of  exultation,  and 
he  laughed  unpleasantly  as  he  added :  "  Come  and  see 
for  yourself." 

Together  they  went  down  to  where  de  Proballe  was 
waiting  with  strange  news  that  had  brought  him  in  hot 
haste  to  the  Castle. 

At  the  sight  of  her  uncle's  face  and  the  triumphant 
glance  he  cast  at  her,  Gabrielle  felt  her  heart  sink  in 
momentary  fear  for  Gerard;  but  she  rallied  quickly  and 
faced  them  both  with  a  confident  smile  as  she  waited 
for  the  tidings. 


CHAPTER    XIII 

DISCOVERY 

WHILE  "Gabrielle  was  closeted  with  the  Duchess 
Gerard  had  made  the  best  use  of  his  time  to 
learn  what  he  could  of  the  Governor's  Castle. 

Well  placed  on  rising  ground  just  within  the  northern 
gate,  it  had  in  former  times  been  a  strong  fortress,  at 
once  overawing  Morvaix  itself  and  commanding  the 
approach  from  the  north,  the  side  which  was  most  open 
to  attack.  Its  outer  fortifications  formed  a  long  portion 
of  the  boundary  walls  of  the  city;  and  in  the  more 
desperate  times  when  that  district  had  been  constantly 
overrun  by  raiders,  many  a  fierce  and  desperate  conflict 
had  raged  round  its  gloomy  walls. 

Gerard  saw,  not  without  uneasiness,  that  the  Governor 
had  restored  many  of  the  old  fortifications,  had  con- 
structed several  more  modern  works,  and  had  thus 
greatly  strengthened  the  place. 

The  reason  was  not  far  to  seek.  The  Duke  ruled  by 
force.  He  ground  the  people  under  the  iron  heel  of 
military  discipline;  and  so  long  as  he  was  sure  of  the 
strength  of  his  Castle  and  could  maintain  his  soldiers, 
the  people  were  powerless.  They  might  protest  and 
murmur  and  even  rise  in  revolt ;  but  under  the  frowning 
menace  of  the  Castle,  they  were  helpless. 

Every  piece  of  the  military  machinery  was  kept  in  a 
high  state  of  preparedness  for  eventualities,  and  Gerard's 
keen  soldier's  eye  could  not  fail  to  note  all  the  evidences 
of  strength  and  to  estimate  them  at  their  true  value. 
Whatever  the  Duke  might  be,  he  was  a  good  soldier. 

145 


146        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

Everything  about  the  Castle  was  regulated  with  military 
precision. 

Stranger  though  he  was,  no  one  attempted  to  interfere 
with  him  or  even  hinder  him  as  he  made  his  observa- 
tions. He  had  been  seen  to  arrive  with  Gabrielle,  and 
as  the  Duke  had  never  deemed  it  possible  he  would 
venture  inside  the  fortress  and  had  therefore  given  no 
orders  concerning  him,  he  was  held  to  be  a  guest  who  had 
been  made  free  of  the  Castle,  and  was  allowed  to  go 
where  he  would. 

The  knowledge  gained  in  this  survey  might  prove 
invaluable.  The  plan  of  the  whole  Castle  was  soon  clear 
in  his  mind  and  he  detected  the  one  weak  spot  in  the 
defences  against  which,  should  the  time  come,  an  attack 
could  best  be  delivered. 

This  was  at  a  point  on  the  city  side  of  the  walls  where 
some  works  were  still  in  progress.  The  ground  outside 
rose  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  parapet  on  the  top,  and 
gangs  of  men  were  at  work  there :  some  removing  the 
ground  and  others  deepening  the  foundations  of  the 
walls,  while  their  ladders  and  tools  lay  about  the  place. 

Gerard  smiled  with  intense  satisfaction  at  the  dis- 
covery, which  might  well  have  vital  importance.  If  a 
crisis  arose  which  rendered  it  imperative  for  him  to  make 
a  stand  against  the  Governor  for  a  time  while  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  his  cousin  from  Cambrai,  Dubois  could 
easily  collect  the  men  within  the  Castle  and  with  them 
make  a  dash  through  this  breach ;  or  again,  if  he  himself 
were  put  under  any  restraint  by  the  Duke,  here  was  the 
road  of  escape. 

With  these  thoughts  in  his  mind  he  made  the  most 
careful  observation  of  the  exact  position  of  the  spot, 
and  then  descended  from  the  walls  to  the  courtyards 
below  to  find  the  speediest  and  most  direct  road  to  it. 

He  had  completed  his  survey  and  was  entering  the 
Castle  when  he  encountered  Dubois  fresh  from  his  inter- 


DISCOVERY  147 

view  with  the  Governor  and  seething  with  indignation 
at  his  treatment. 

"  My  lord !  "  exclaimed  Dubois  involuntarily,  in  sur- 
prise. 

"  (jood  day,  holy  friar,"  answered  Gerard,  with  a 
gesture  of  caution.  "  I  have  heard  of  your  good  deeds 
and  w^ould  confer  with  you,"  he  added  aloud  for  the 
hearing  of  a  couple  of  soldiers  who  were  passing. 

"  We  can  speak  here,"  said  Dubois,  drawing  aside  into 
an  alcove ;  and  in  rapid  tones  he  told  of  all  he  had  done 
since  his  arrival,  and  then  described  the  interview  with 
the  Governor. 

"  You  did  well,  but  could  have  done  better,"  said 
Gerard,  after  a  moment's  pause.  "  You  should  have  led 
him  to  think  the  sanction  would  have  been  forthcoming 
from  the  Cardinal,  and  so  have  gained  time.  But  it  is 
vain  to  speak  of  that  now.  Listen  to  my  plans."  He  told 
him  the  result  of  his  observation,  and  instructed  him  to 
ascertain  exactly  what  guard  was  kept  at  the  works  by 
night,  to  have  some  of  their  own  men  always  watching 
near  at  hand,  and  above  all  to  be  sure  that  ladders  were 
to  be  available  there  so  that  no  time  should  be  lost  in 
case  of  emergency. 

"  I  too  have  a  plan,"  said  Dubois.  "  The  soldiers  here 
are  but  a  wild  mercenary  lot,  dissatisfied  with  everything ; 
disaffected  toward  the  Duke  and  their  officers ;  any  man's 
men  who  will  but  pay  them.  With  a  few  bags  of  crowns, 
many  of  them  could  be  bought  and  the  Castle  itself  seized. 
Even  among  those  who  could  not  be  bought,  the  men  of 
Morvaix  itself  and  the  district  round,  there  are  many  who 
hate  the  Governor  for  his  excesses  and,  in  their  sympathy 
with  the  people  outside,  are  ripe  to  revolt." 

"  Splendidly  done !  "  said  Gerard.  "  I  knew  you  would 
not  be  housed  in  the  Castle  without  results.  I  like  the 
scheme.  'T would  be  a  stroke  indeed  to  vanquish  this 
strutting  cock  with  his  own  spurs.    Push  your  inquiries 


148        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

all  you  can  in  safety,  using  every  discretion,  and  we  v.  ill 
speak  of  it  again." 

"  Ah,  my  fine  cavalier,  so  we  meet  again.  Seeking 
absolution  from  our  new  sir  priest  here,  eh  ?  " 

Gerard  turned  quickly  at  the  sneering  voice  to  find 
that  the  two  gallants  whom  he  had  surprised  in  their 
attack  upon  Denys,  had  come  up  unawares  and  now  stood 
regarding  Dubois  and  himself  with  sharp  suspicious 
glances. 

"  Is  the  Duke  dead  that  his  serving  men  have  come 
to  power?"  retorted  Gerard.  "Or  is  either  of  you 
minded  to  renew  the  affair  of  the  gardens  of  Malin- 
court  ?  " 

"  We  are  minded  to  see  what  the  rats  are  about  in 
the  Castle,  whatever  the  colour  of  their  coats."  It  was 
d'Estelle  who  answered.  He  was  pale  and  weak,  and 
carried  his  arm  in  a  sling. 

"  You  are  wounded,  monsieur,  and  so  licensed  for  a 
time  in  your  insolence.  But  you,  monsieur,"  and  Gerard 
made  a  step  toward  Antoine.  "  You  are  still  unhurt. 
Do  you  carry  also  an  uncivil  tongue  ?  If  I  know  not  how 
your  tongue  runs,  since  I  have  not  heard  it  yet,  I  know 
at  least  how  your  legs  run,  for  I  have  seen  them." 

"  This  is  no  brawler's  tavern,"  cried  d'Estelle,  in- 
solently.   "  You  are  out  of  your  element  here." 

"  Peace,"  interposed  Dubois,  in  his  sonorous  tones. 
"  Be  careful  of  such  wanton  provocation.  I  have  known 
men's  blood  to  flow  for  less.  You  should  guard  your 
tongue,  young  sir." 

"  All  right,  bald  pate,"  cried  d'Estelle  with  a  flippant 
laugh. 

"  You  have  said  nothing,  monsieur,"  said  Gerard  to 
Antoine. 

"  Peace,  my  son,  peace,"  said  Dubois  again,  laying  his 
hand  on  Gerard's  shoulder.  "  Would  you,  too,  provoke 
strife?" 


DISCOVERY  149 

"  Good,  old  Tell-your-beads.  What's  sauce  for  the 
goose  is  sauce  for  such  a  gander,"  exclaimed  d'Estelle, 
with  another  laugh. 

"  These  gentlemen  and  I  have  met  before,  father,"  said 
Gerard.  "  I  prevented  them  from  murdering  a  man,  and 
they  bear  me  ill-will  in  consequence." 

"  It  was  no  murder  but  a  fair  quarrel,  monsieur,"  said 
Antoine. 

"  Fair  ?    With  two  swords  to  one  ?  " 

"  I  caught  M.  St.  Jean  maltreating  a  lady  who  is  dear 
to  me,  and  did  but  seek  to  punish  him  as  he  deserved." 

"  When  I  see  a  liar  I  watch  his  lips  and  listen.  I  am 
watching  yours,  monsieur,"  said  Gerard,  contemptuously. 
"  You  were  set  to  murder  him  and  for  that  purpose  rode 
after  him  yester  morning."  Antoine  changed  colour  and 
d'Estelle  was  silent. 

"  Be  careful  what  you  say,  monsieur,"  replied  Antoine, 
hoarsely.  "  We  are  the  Duke's  followers  and  this  is  his 
lordship's  Castle." 

"If  you  do  not  like  my  words,  monsieur,  there  is  an 
alternative  which  men  of  honour  understand,"  retorted 
Gerard,  in  a  deliberate  tone,  and  with  a  look  which 
Antoine  had  little  mind  to  face. 

"If  I  do  not  seek  a  fight  with  you,  it  is  not  because 
I  fear  you,"  he  answered,  in  none  too  firm  a  tone ;  "  but 
because  there  may  be  a  way  more  useful  to  my  master  to 
deal  with  you." 

"  I  appreciate  your  discretion,  and  should  I  need  a 
spy.  may  send  in  quest  of  your  services."  Then  turning 
his  back  upon  the  pair  he  added  to  Dubois :  "  Now, 
father,  we  will  resume  our  discussion  of  that  point  about 
Thomas  a  Kempis.  I  was  arguing  in  regard  to  the 
warning  against  apostasy  that " 

"  Those  vermin  may  be  dangerous.  They  suspect,"  put 
in  Dubois  as  they  passed  out  of  earshot. 

"  A  risk  or  so  more  or  less  at  this  crisis  does  not  count 


I50        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

for  much ;  but  try  to  have  them  marked.  They  are  two 
of  this  Tiger's  claws  and  would  scratch  from  behind 
given  the  chance." 

Just  then  a  noise  behind  them  attracted  Gerard's 
attention,  and  turning  he  saw  de  Proballe,  with  Dauban 
at  his  side,  hurrying  toward  the  apartments  of  the 
Governor. 

"  Ah,  Gerard,  I  find  you  in  good  company  here !  "  said 
de  Proballe  in  a  cordial  tone,  pausing  on  his  way.  "  I 
have  great  news.    It  concerns  you." 

"How  so,  M.  le  Baron?" 

"  What  a  formal  fellow  you  are,  with  your  M.  le  Baron. 
We  must  get  to  closer  terms  than  these.  I'm  taking  my 
news  to  the  Governor.  Come  with  me.  Give  me  your 
arm,  lad." 

"  I  thank  you,  monsieur,  but  it  is  not  my  wish." 

"  Oh,  Gerard,  Gerard,"  cried  de  Proballe,  with  a  laugh. 
"  You  will  never  push  your  way  in  this  good  city  of 
Morvaix  while  you  show  yourself  so  cold  and  indifferent. 
Well,  well,  come  to  the  Duke  or  go  to  the — Church  your 
own  way.  It's  all  one  to  me,"  and  with  a  laugh  he  swept 
on.    He  was  in  high  spirits. 

"  There  is  some  meaning  in  this,'  muttered  Gerard, 
gazing  after  him.  "  Go  you,  Dubois,  and  see  to  all  I 
have  said.  I  will  make  my  way  to  the  Duke.  *  When 
de  Proballe  laughs  there  is  the  devil  by  his  elbow,'  was 
once  a  proverb  in  Paris,  and  it  may  be  just  as  true  in 
Morvaix." 

Without  appearing  to  hasten,  he  followed  de  Proballe,. 
keeping  a  wary  eye  for  all  things  as  he  passed  along,  and 
quickened  his  steps  when  he  caught  sight  of  the  Gov- 
ernor in  the  distance  in  conference  with  de  Proballe, 
while  Gabrielle,  her  back  toward  him,  was  watching 
them  closely. 

The  Governor  had  come  down  in  response  to  de  Pro- 
balle's  urgent  message  in  the  firm  belief  that  the  news 


DISCOVERY  151 

was  that  of  Gerard's  flight  and  his  first  question  was 
to  that  effect. 

"  He  has  gone  ?  "  he  asked  eagerly. 

"  A  word  first  into  your  ear ; "  and  de  Proballe  drew 
him  aside.  "  Gone  ?  No,  thank  Heaven !  better  than 
that,  much  better.  He  is  here  in  the  Castle.  I  have 
spoken  to  him  this  minute." 

"  Has  he  dared  ? "  exclaimed  the  Governor  with  a 
frown. 

"  Dared  ?  It  seems  he  would  dare  anything.  Wait, 
here  he  is,"  he  cried,  catching  sight  of  Gerard.  "  Now 
you  shall  see  a  comedy.  Come,  Gerard,  come;  I  was 
waiting  for  you.    I  want  your  help." 

Hearing  of  his  presence  Gabrielle  turned  and  ran  to 
Gerard  and  stood  by  him. 

"  What  is  this  ? "  demanded  the  Governor  of  de 
Proballe. 

"  Bear  with  me  and  have  your  guards  at  hand,  and 
you  will  see,"  was  the  whispered  reply. 

"  They  are  always  at  hand  here,"  was  the  curt  grim 
reply. 

De  Proballe  went  toward  Gerard,  a  smile  on  his  lips. 

"  So  you  have  not  followed  our  advice,  Gerard,  and 
fled.  You  like  the  city  and  the  Castle?  Perhaps  you 
were  seeking  ghostly  advice  just  now  from  that  sturdy 
monk?  I  found  our  young  friend  in  close  consultation 
with  a  monk  as  I  passed,  Duke.  Preparing,  let  us  think, 
for  that  longer  journey  which  you  mentioned  as  the  al- 
ternative to  flight  from  the  city." 

De  Proballe  was  obviously  enjoying  the  situation  and 
resolved  to  make  the  most  of  it. 

"  Who  was  the  monk  ?  Do  you  know  him  ?  "  asked  the 
Governor  quickly. 

"  He  who  came  from  the  Cardinal  Archbishop,  the 
delegate.  Gerard,  it  seems,  is  particular  as  to  who  shall 
shrive  him.    Our  Morvaix  priests  are  not  good  enough. 


152        A   COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

The  conference  lasted  long,  too;  at  least  so  Antoine  de 
Cavannes  told  me." 

The  Governor  shot  a  sharp  glance  at  Gerard,  who  said 
to  Gabrielle — 

"  The  monk  is  one  of  those  whom  I  met  two  days  ago 
in  the  market  place,  Gabrielle,  when  Babillon,  the  smith, 
was  done  to  death  at  my  lord's  bidding."  He  spoke 
quietly  and  calmly.  "  You  may  remember  him ;  a  dark, 
swarthy,  burly  man  who  helped  you.  The  companion  of 
him  who  stepped  between  us  and  the  soldiery." 

"  I  remember  him  well,"  answered  Gabrielle.  She  was 
oppressed  by  a  sense  of  danger,  impalpable  and  invisible, 
but  yet  real. 

"  That  is  all,"  said  Gerard,  with  a  smile  to  reassure 
her. 

"Of  what  spoke  you  together?"  asked  the  Governor. 

"  May  not  a  man  speak  even  with  a  monk  in  Morvaix 
without  the  Governor's  permission?  'Twould  seem  not 
indeed ;  for  even  while  we  were  in  converse,  those  two 
jackals  who  sought  to  take  your  Denys'  life,  Gabrielle, 
came  up  with  flouts  and  jeers  and  sneers,  as  though 
licensed  to  insult  even  men  of  a  religious  life.  I  think  in 
truth  this  is  a  matter  that  concerns  you  closely,  my  lord." 

"  How  dare  you  say  that  to  me  ?  " 

"  What  daring  is  there  in  it  ?  I  answered  the  fellow — 
the  one  that  is  yet  unwounded — told  him  my  thoughts 
of  him  and  offered  him  such  reparation  as  he  could  take ; 
when  he  turned  upon  me  and  hinted  that  such  insolence 
as  his  was  possible  by  your  protection  and  permission. 
He  is  yonder ;  let  him  come  and  answer  for  himself ; " 
and  Gerard  pointed  to  where  Antoine  and  d'Estelle  were 
standing  at  a  distance. 

"  Enough  of  this  insolence,"  exclaimed  the  Governor. 

"  So  I  told  him,"  replied  Gerard  coolly ;  "  scarce  be- 
lieving it  possible  such  things  could  be  done  with  your 
sanction. 


DISCOVERY  153 

De  Proballe  had  been  fretting  at  this  interlude  in  whicK 
he  was  not  taking  the  important  part  he  desired. 

"  You  need  a  curb  to  your  tongue,  Gerard,"  he  said. 

"  Does  M.  de  Proballe  desire  an  opportunity  of  ap- 
plying it  ?  " 

"  What  a  fire-eater  it  is ! "  cried  de  Proballe,  hiding 
his  vexation  under  a  laugh,  "  and  what  a  wit !  Where 
did  you  learn  to  be  so  free  with  your  tongue  ?  " 

"  Not  in  Morvaix  of  a  truth,  where  every  one  must 
order  his  speech  to  suit  the  ears  of  his  Governor,  it 
seems." 

"  Gerard !  "  whispered  Gabrielle,  with  growing  alarm 
at  his  reckless  answers. 

"  Yet  there  are  things  in  Morvaix  that  we  can  teacK 
persons  of  even  your  high  character  1 "  exclaimed  the 
Governor  sharply. 

"  I  have  already  learnt  many,  my  lord,"  was  the  dry; 
retort. 

"  One  you  will  learn.  Thou  shalt  do  no  murder,"  added 
de  Proballe. 

"  That  is  certainly  a  branch  of  knowledge  with  many 
expert  professors  here,"  returned  Gerard,  with  the  same 
reckless  air. 

His  manner  was  intentionally  assumed.  He  had  not 
failed  to  discern  from  de  Proballe's  manner  that  some 
development  was  at  hand,  which  boded  danger ;  and  he 
chose  deliberately  the  attitude  of  reckless  defiance  of 
all  authority.  Intrepid  by  nature,  he  had  often  seen 
danger  met  and  difficulties  overcome  by  boldness,  when 
no  other  means  could  have  succeeded. 

His  bearing  toward  the  Governor,  despot  though  he 
was  in  Morvaix,  was  carefully  calculated.  As  a  Bourbon 
and  the  son  of  the  Suzerain  Duke,  with  full  authority  to 
act  in  his  father's  place,  this  Governor  owed  him 
allegiance,  and  he  believed  he  had  but  to  reveal  his  true 
character  to  bring  the  bully  to  his  knees. 


154        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

Moreover,  his  hot  Bourbon  blood  was  fired  by  the 
insults  heaped  upon  him  as  well  as  by  the  infamous 
condition  of  affairs  he  had  found  in  Morvaix. 

But  above  all,  and  more  than  all,  his  chivalry  was 
^stirred  on  Gabrielle's  account;  and  his  new-born  love 
for  her  filled  his  heart  with  fury  against  the  two  men 
who  had  plotted  her  ruin  and  had  turned  their  venom 
against  him  only  when  they  found  he  was  no  pliant  tool 
in  their  abominable  scheme. 

The  Governor  on  his  side  was  no  whit  less  angry,  and 
only  Gabrielle's  presence  had  restrained  him  from  reply- 
ing to  Gerard's  taunts  with  violence.  He  meant  to  use 
Gerard  as  the  means  to  force  her  consent  to  marry  him ; 
and  had  resolved  that  he  should  not  leave  the  Castle  until 
that  consent  had  been  wrung  from  her. 

This  very  resolve,  however,  made  him  hesitate.  To 
g-ive  him  countenance  with  her,  the  crime  which  Gerard 
had  committed  must  be  the  ground  for  imprisonment ; 
and  while  he  smarted  and  fumed  and  raged  under  the 
lash  of  Gerard's  bitter  words,  he  had  held  back.  But  the 
limit  of  his  endurance  was  reached ;  and  as  a  first  step 
he  resolved  to  send  Gabrielle  away. 

There  was  a  pause  of  some  moments  after  Gerard's 
last  words  while  the  Governor  made  this  decision,  and 
then  he  turned  to  Gabrielle. 

"  Mademoiselle,  I  must  ask  you  to  return  to  my  wife 
for  a  time." 

"  Do  not  go,  Gabrielle,  there  is  no  need,"  declared 
Gerard. 

"  He  is  right,  my  lord,  there  is  no  need,"  said  de 
Proballe. 

"  This  must  end,"  muttered  the  Governor. 

"  It  shall  end — now.  Come,  Gerard,  I  have  spoken  of 
your  sharp  wits.  Let  us  see  you  use  them  now.  Tell  me 
the  contents  of  this,"  and  de  Proballe  held  a  paper  before 
liim.  ' 


DISCOVERY  155 

"  I  am  no  wizard  to  read  what  I  cannot  see,  monsieur." 

"  No  wizard ;  you  hear  that,  Duke.  No  wizard.  Yet. 
something  of  a  wizard  surely — to  write  what  you  have 
never  seen." 

Gerard  on  the  instant  understood  what  had  occurred, 
but  his  face  gave  no  sign  and  he  stared  steadily  into  de 
Proballe's  sneering  face. 

"  Come,  Gerard,  come.  You  must  know  it.  It  is  your 
own  letter  just  arrived  from  you." 

The  Governor  understood  it  now,  and  with  evidences- 
of  great  excitement  he  tore  the  paper  from  de  Proballe's- 
hand  and  read  it. 

He  glanced  from  it  to  Gerard,  and  smiled — a  smile  full 
of  sinister  meaning. 

"  Do  you  say  you  do  not  know  this  ?  " 

Gerard  maintained  the  same  calm  collected  attitude^ 
He  was  considering  what  course  to  adopt. 

"  You  hear  ?  Either  you  know  what  is  written  here  or 
you  are  some  lying  impostor  masquerading  in  a  false 
name. 

"  Gerard !    Gerard !  "  cried  Gabrielle,  intensely  moved^ 

"  Aye,  Gerard — or  some  other  name,"'  sneered  de  Pro- 
balle.    "  Ask  his  name,  Gabrielle." 

"  Now,  monsieur,  at  once  if  you  please,"  said  tlie- 
Governor,  in  a  stern  imperative  tone.  "  Speak,  or  I  call 
my  guards.  Do  you  know  this  paper?  If  not,  who  are 
you  and  why  are  you  here  ?  " 


CHAPTER  XIV 

"  I    AM    NOT   GERARD    DE   COBALT  " 

OF  all  present  Gabrielle  was  by  far  the  most 
agitated.  The  Duke,  perplexed,  suspicious,  and 
bitterly  hostile  to  the  man  who  had  stepped  be- 
tween him  and  his  passion,  was  chiefly  concerned  to  find 
how  best  to  turn  the  thing  to  his  rival's  hurt.  De  Pro- 
balle,  angry  at  having  been  tricked,  was  for  the  moment 
too  occupied  in  enjoying  his  personal  importance  in 
having  thus  unmasked  the  impostor,  to  think  of  much 
else. 

But  to  Gabrielle  the  issue  was  all  in  all.  If  this  were" 
not  Gerard  her  cousin,  the  man  to  whom  she  had  been 
betrothed,  how  strangely  forward  and  unmaidenly  she 
must  have  appeared.  She  recalled  with  a  sense  of  some- 
thing akin  to  shame  how  she  had  almost  pressed  herself 
upon  him  in  the  first  moment  of  his  arrival ;  and  at  the 
recollection,  her  cheeks  flamed  so  that  she  hid  them 
beneath  her  hands  and  involuntarily  drew  away  from  his 
side. 

It  was  but  a  little  thing,  that  gesture  of  hers;  but 
Gerard  saw  and  understood  it,  and  on  the  moment  it 
stayed  the  words  of  avowal  even  as  they  were  at  his 
lips,  and  changed  the  whole  course  of  his  action.  He 
had  come  to  Morvaix  to  ascertain  the  truth  as  to  the 
misgovernment  and,  if  need  arose,  to  depose  and  punish 
the  powerful  Governor;  but  his  love  for  Gabrielle  was 
now  so  much  to  him  and  filled  so  much  of  his  purpose, 
tliat  he  set  it  first  and  before  all  else. 

156 


"I'M  NOT  GERARD  DE  COBALT"      157 

He  had  won  her  love  by  a  trick,  an  imposture.  He  had 
been  in  great  measure  forced  into  it  by  circumstances, 
indeed,  and  by  his  very  zeal  in  her  cause.  But  it  was 
none  the  less  a  trick ;  and  he  was  too  proud,  having  won 
it  so,  to  hold  it  by  mere  greatness  of  rank.  He  would 
not  avow  that  rank  until  he  had  justified  himself  in 
Gabrielle's  eyes. 

And  even  as  he  thought  of  this  and  formed  the  resolve, 
another  consideration  occurred  to  him.  He  could  by 
this  means  still  further  test  the  methods  of  rule  in 
Morvaix.  He  had  had  ample  evidence  of  the  Gov- 
ernor's willingness  to  wrest  the  considerations  of  justice 
to  his  own  personal  ends ;  but  it  would  throw  a  fresh 
light  upon  matters  to  note  his  conduct  when  he  knew  that 
the  man  he  had  first  used  and  then  threatened  was  not 
the  cowardly  murderer  the  real  Gerard  de  Cobalt  was 
said  to  be. 

"  Do  you  intend  to  trifle  all  day  with  me  ?  "  demanded 
the  Governor,  when  Gerard  had  remained  silent  some 
time. 

"  I  am  not  trifling,  but  thinking,"  answered  Gerard.  At 
his  calm  strong  tone  Gabrielle  took  her  hands  from  her 
face  and  with  another  eager,  almost  imploring  glance, 
made  a  half  step  toward  him,  and  then  checked  herself  in 
deep  embarrassment. 

"  You  have  need  to  think,  I'll  warrant,"  exclaimed  de 
Proballe. 

But  it  was  to  Gabrielle  Gerard  turned. 

"  You  have  no  need  to  shrink  from  me,  mademoiselle,"" 
he  said  with  a  smile,  "  although  I  can  understand  you. 
I  fear  I  must  plead  guilty  to  having  deceived  you.  I  am 
not  the  writer  of  that  letter.  I  am  not  your  cousin, 
Gerard  de  Cobalt." 

"  So  you  see  that  game  is  over,"  sneered  de  Proballe. 
"  What  lie  next,  pray  ?  You  will  not  find  us  so  easy  to 
be  fooled  now." 


158        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  If  I  am  not  Gerard  de  Cobalt,  monsieur,"  cried 
Gerard,  sternly,  "  you  will  still  find  I  am  a  man  who  does 
not  take  insults  lightly.  For  your  past  words  I  forgive 
you,  because  of  your  natural  irritation  at  this  discovery. 
But  for  your  future  words  and  conduct  I  shall  hold  you 
responsible — every  word  and  every  act." 

"  You  will  of  course  explain  your  conduct,  monsieur, 
and  state  as  frankly  as  you  can  who  you  are  and  your 
purpose  in  my  city.  See  to  it  that  the  explanation  be  as 
satisfactory  as  your  present  position  is  equivocal."  The 
Governor's  tone  was  curt  and  peremptory. 

"  The  explantion  is  due  to  Mademoiselle  de  Malin- 
<:ourt,  and  I  promise  you  it  shall  be  frank  enough  in  some 
respects  to  satisfy  even  you.  I  had  a  sufficient  object  in 
coming  to  Morvaix — what  that  is  for  the  present  I  with- 
hold— and  to  accomplish  it  I  took  a  name  not  my  own. 
I  borrowed  it  at  hazard  from  a  notorious  dicer  and 
wastrel  of  Paris — Raouf  de  Cobalt." 

"  But  you  called  yourself  Gerard  de  Cobalt,"  said  the 
Duke. 

"  In  ignorance  that  he  had  a  relative  of  that  name — 
an  even  worse  scoundrel,  it  would  seem,  than  himself — 
whom  you  and  M.  de  Proballe  designed  to  use  for  your 
schemes." 

"  Do  you  think  to  carry  off  this  imposture  with  in^ 
solence  ?  "  demanded  the  Duke  angrily. 

"  It  is  not  insolence.  I  have  no  cause  to  hide  the 
truth,  monsieur.  I  had  been  in  Morvaix  but  a  few  hours 
when  I  was  a  witness  of  the  scene  in  the  market  place, 
and  we  met  for  the  first  time,  mademoiselle.  I  inquired 
concerning  you,  and  learning  that  you  were  the  Gabrielle 
de  Malincourt  whose  praises  were  on  all  men's  lips,  I 
haunted  the  gardens  of  the  maison  in  the  hope  of  seeing 
you  again.  There  we  met,  yesterday,  for  the  second 
time — ^and  you  may  remember  my  passing  confusion 
when   you  questioned   me  as  to  the   reasons  for  what 


"I'M  NOT  GERARD  DE  COBALT"      15^ 

seemed  such  strange  conduct  in  a  man  you  believed  ta 
be  your  cousin  and  for  whose  coming  you  were  prepared." 

"  You  did  not  tell  me  all,  monsieur,"  said  Gabrielle. 

"  You  shall  know  why.  I  was  on  the  point  of  doing 
so  when  M.  de  Proballe  interrupted  us,  and  carrying  me 
away,  told  me  enough  to  disclose  to  me  the  peril  which 
threatened  you." 

"  Yes,  yes,  we  know  all  about  that,"  interposed  de 
Proballe  hastily. 

"  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt  does  not.  You  read  the 
letter  yesterday  of  which  your  follower  Denys  had  in 
some  way  possessed  himself,  mademoiselle,  and  I  need 
only  say  that  that  contained  in  essence  the  story  of  this 
de  Cobalt  which  JM.  de  Proballe  told  me  at  length,  adding 
that  my  marriac^e  with  you  was  to  be  no  more  or  less 
than  a  cover  for  vour  ruin  at  the  hands  of  the  Duke  de 
Rochelle." 

"  It  is  a  lie,"  cried  the  Governor  furiously. 

"  Then  blame  the  liar,  M.  le  Due.  There  he  stands,'*" 
and  Gerard  pointed  at  de  Proballe. 

"  It  is  a  tissue  of  lies,"  said  de  Proballe.  "  You  know 
me  too  well,  Gabrielle,  to  believe  this  vile  slander." 

"  There  you  mistake.  It  is  I,  not  Mademoiselle  de 
Malincourt,  who  know  you.  I  know  M.  de  Proballe's 
life  and  reputation  in  Paris." 

"This  shall  go  no  further.  Your  name,  monsieur?  "^ 
demanded  the  Governor. 

"  Does  not  touch  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  what  I  say, 
and  need  not  therefore  be  disclosed  yet.  I  shall  choose 
my  own  time  to  disclose  it." 

"  You  will  tell  it  now,  or  suffer  the  consequences." 

"  I  do  not  understand.    Do  you  threaten  me  ?  " 

"  By  your  own  confession  you  have  come  sneaking  here 
in  an  assumed  name ;  as  a  spy  of  some  sort.  We  soldiers 
have  a  short  shrift  for  spies." 

"  Monsieur "   began   Gabrielle,   in   a   tone  of  en- 


i6o        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

treaty,  alarmed  for  Gerard's  safety,  and  a  prey  to  many 
mingled  emotions. 

"  I  have  committed  no  offence,  mademoiselle,  save  in 
having  misled  you  to  believe  I  was  a  worse  man  than 
I  am.  For  that  I  have  to  crave  your  pardon,  pleading 
only  in  excuse  the  reasons  I  have  shown.  For  the  rest, 
I  have  done  no  wrong,"  he  said,  meeting  confidently  the 
Governor's  threatening  looks. 

"  You  are  a  spy,  monsieur,  and  as  a  spy  shall  be 
treated." 

"  It  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  strangers  to  travel  with- 
out disclosing  their  names.  Is  that  a  crime  in  Morvaix 
which  is  a  common  practice  all  over  France  and  Europe  ?" 

"  Do  you  say  now  you  are  naught  but  a  traveller  ?  " 

"  Far  from  it.  I  have  a  purpose  in  coming  to  your 
city." 

"  Then  you  are  a  spy,  I  say." 

"  I  am  no  spy,  monsieur.  I  am  a  soldier.  A  true  son 
of  France  with  none  but  pure  French  blood  in  my  veins ; 
and  a  loyal  subject  of  His  Majesty  the  King,  of  whom 
"we  are  all  subjects  in  common.  I  have  fought  under  the 
great  Bourbon,  the  Suzerain  of  this  city  and  the  territory 
of  Morvaix.  To  hold  me  for  a  spy  will  argue  ill  of 
i  Morvaix  and  the  rule  that  prevails  here." 
I      "  You  dare  to  threaten  me,  then  ?  " 

"  Monsieur  has  doubtless  his  papers  to  support  his 
statements  and  a  safe  conduct  from  his  powerful  friends," 
suggested  de  Proballe,  with  a  sneer. 

"  Aye,  of  course,  produce  them,"  declared  the  Gov- 
ernor. "  They  may  explain  the  suspicious  manner  of 
your  coming." 

"  I  can  make  good  my  words  at  any  time,"  said  Gerard, 
not  relishing  this  thrust.  "  The  manner  of  my  coming 
was  my  own  choosing.  But  since  I  have  been  here  your 
lordship  must  have  seen  for  yourself  my  acts  have  been 
far  from  those  of  a  spy." 


♦TM  NOT  GERARD  DE  COBALT"      i6i 

De  Proballe  stepped  forward  and  whispered  eagerly  to 
the  Governor. 

"  Is  that  so,  indeed?  I  hear  that  even  now  you  have 
been  seen  making  careful  observations  of  our  Castle  and 
the  fortifications.  You  can  of  course  explain  so  singular 
and  apt  a  curiosity?  Apt,  I  mean,  as  fitting  with  the 
conduct  of  a  spy." 

"  Are  the  soldiers  of  France  forbidden  even  to  look  at 
the  fortifications  of  Morvaix's  famous  Castle  ?  " 

"  Spies  are  so  forbidden,  monsieur,  and  when  detected 
are  dealt  with  as  you,  being  a  soldier,  will  understand." 

"  I  repeat,  I  am  no  spy." 

"  Then  prove  it  so,  by  declaring  who  you  are." 

"  I  am  accustomed  to  have  my  word  accepted,  mon- 
sieur," answered  Gerard  proudly. 

The  Governor  was  about  to  answer  when  de  Proballe 
laid  a  hand  on  his  arm  and  drew  him  to  one  side. 

"Why  not  declare  yourself,  monsieur?"  asked  Gabri- 
elle,  half-hesitatingly,  as  the  others  drew  out  of  earshot. 
"  You  little  know  the  Duke  if  you  think  you  can  safely 
hold  him  at  defiance  thus." 

"  I  am  not  concerned  for  what  he  may  think  or  do, 
mademoiselle.  It  is  you,  and  you  only,  whom  I  fear  to 
have  estranged.    I  deceived  you.    Can  you  forgive  me  ?  " 

"  You  should  not  have  done  it,  monsieur,"  she  an- 
swered, dropping  her  eyes.    "You — you  shamed  me." 

"  God  forbid  you  should  believe  such  a  thought  as  that 
could  have  been  in  my  heart." 

"  But  I — I  deemed  you  were  my  cousin.  Oh,  when  I 
think  of  it,  my  face  flames  with  humiliation." 

"  Then  in  all  truth  am  I  bitterly  punished.  But  you 
must  see  how  hardly  I  was  placed.  When  I  heard  the 
blunt  confession  of  all  that  was  designed  against  you  I 
knew  not  what  to  do.  Hating  myself  for  every  act  and 
word  of  compelled  deception,  yet  I  could  not  speak  with- 
out     But  of  course,  you  must  blame  me." 


1 62        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  You  could  have  told  me,  monsieur,  if  you  had  trusted 
me ; "  and  the  reproach  in  her  eyes  as  she  glanced  up 
stung  him  so  that  he  winced. 

"  And  you  read  in  me  no  more  than  mistrust  ? "  he 
whispered. 

"  Monsieur !  " 

"  And  you  think  I  have  been  untrue  to  you  ?  " 

"  Monsieur !  "  This  time  with  a  little  accent  of  pain, 
adding  under  her  breath,  "  I  trusted  you  so  com- 
pletely." 

"  And  now  ?  "  His  tone  was  as  low  as  hers,  and  when 
she  made  no  answer  he  said,  "  First  your  words  stabbed 
me,  now  it  is  your  silence." 

She  caught  her  breath  and  lifted  and  let  fall  her  hand 
with  a  gesture  of  perplexity :  a  pathetic  little  sign  of 
her  distress. 

"  But  you,  too,  are  silent — still,"  she  murmured,  after 
a  pause. 

"  And  I  was  so  sure  of  you."  The  softly  spoken  words 
stung  her  so  that  she  winced  at  the  implied  reproach  in 
them.  The  reproach  was  unmerited,  and  while  repudiat- 
ing the  injustice  she  was  both  wistful  and  yet  unwilling 
to  let  him  see  how  his  words  hurt  her. 

"  Why  will  you  not  speak  and  end  the  uncertainty  ?  " 
she  asked. 

"  For  myself  and  for  others  I  care  nothing,  as  I  say ; 
but  can  yoii  find  no  reason  ?  " 

"  It  is  for  me  ?  "  she  cried  quickly,  with  a  swift  glance 
and  an  involuntary  thrill  of  delight.  She  had  not 
doubted  him;  but  the  confirmation  of  her  trust  which 
seemed  to  come  from  the  assurance  that  it  was  still  for 
her  he  was  acting  thus,  brought  inexpressible  comfort. 
If  it  was  for  her  that  he  still  ran  the  risks  involved  in 
maintaining  silence,  it  could  be  for  only  one  reason. 

He  had  been  acting  a  part,  and  yet  not  acting  merely 
with  her.    The  words  he  had  spoken,  the  glances  he  had 


"I'M  NOT  GERARD  DE  COBALT"      163 

cast,  the  thousand  Httle  acts  and  signs  he  had  given  while 
she  had  deemed  him  her  cousin,  had  expressed  real  feel- 
ing. He  had  not  looked  on  her  as  unmaidenly,  but — and 
as  the  thought  grafted  itself  more  firmly  upon  her  faith 
in  him,  the  colour  came  flooding  again  to  her  cheeks,  but 
from  such  different  causes,  and  her  eyes  glowed. 

"  I   thought "  she  said,  about  to  give   impulsive 

utterance  to  her  new  belief,  when  she  checked  herself, 
looked  up  with  a  smile  of  sweet  confusion,  and  then  again 
dropped  her  eyes. 

Gerard  had  watched  her  closely  trying  to  read  the 
perplexing  changes  of  her  manner,  fearing  from  her  con- 
straint and  silence  that  she  was  angered ;  but  gathered 
hope  fast  when  she  smiled. 

"  I  would  give  much  to  know  that  thought,"  he  said, 
when  she  faltered. 

"  You  must  not  keep  silence  and  run  this  risk  for  me," 
she  said  slowly,  keeping  her  eyes  upon  the  ground. 

"  Am  I  forgiven  the  deception  I  practised  ?  "  he  whis- 
pered. 

"  Was  it  not  done  because  you  deemed  it  best  for — 
for  all  things  ?  " 

She  had  meant  to  say  "  for  me,"  but  the  words  hung 
on  her  lips  so  that  she  could  not  utter  them. 

"  For  all  things,  no,"  he  answered  pointedly,  "  for 
you,  yes ;  for  you  only." 

It  was  sweet  hearing.  Her  heart  beat  fast  and  her 
bosom  rose  and  fell  quickly  in  agitation.  But  she  could 
not  look  at  him,  could  not  let  him  see  yet  how  deeply  he 
had  stirred  her.  She  had  passed  one  crisis  of  racking 
pain  when  she  feared  that  she  had  mistaken  him;  and 
shrank  now  from  even  a  chance  of  mis  judgment. 

"  I  believe  that,"  she  said  simply  after  a  pause. 

"  And  I  am  forgiven  ?  "  he  pressed,  eager  for  her  to 
look  at  him,  that  he  might  read  in  her  sweet  eyes  the 
knowledge  for  which  his  heart  was  hungering. 


i64        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  Yes."  It  was  a  whisper,  no  more ;  and  still  she  kept 
her  eyes  down. 

"  And  you  trust  me  as  ever  ?  " 

"  I  may  ?  "  she  questioned  in  a  whisper. 

"  As  God  is  my  judge  you  may,"  he  answered  with 
intense  passion. 

"  Could  I  forgive  if  I  did  not  trust  ?  " 

"  Thank  God  for  that  trust." 

She  smiled  and  was  lifting  her  face  to  meet  his  ardent 
gaze,  when  the  Governor  and  de  Proballe  returned.    . 

Neither  Gerard  nor  Gabrielle  had  had  eyes  or  ears  for 
them  in  the  minutes  of  absence ;  and  had  not  noted  how 
at  first  they  had  talked  together  and  had  then  sent  for 
the  two  men,  Antoine  de  Cavannes  and  d'Estelle,  and 
having  questioned  them,  had  once  again  conferred  alone. 

It  was  de  Proballe  who  now  took  the  chief  part,  and 
he  approached  Gerard  with  a  bland  smile  upon  his 
sallow  face,  and  said,  in  a  smooth  even  tone — 

"  My  lord  has  now  committed  this  matter  to  my  hands, 
Gerard,  as  a  family  affair ;  and  I  am  confident  it  can  be 
easily  arranged."  Gerard  noticed  the  use  of  his  name 
and  the  familiar  manner,  and  read  in  it  at  once  some 
change  of  purpose. 

"  I  do  not  wish  your  interference,  monsieur,  and 
recognize  no  right  of  yours  to  take  any  such  part." 

"  I  am  acting  solely  in  Gabrielle's  interest.  I  have  put 
it  to  the  Duke  that  this  matter  can  best  be  settled  be- 
tween us.    You  see,  Gerard " 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  the  use  of  that  name  to 
me?" 

"  Is  not  your  name  Gerard  ?  "  He  put  the  question 
casually  and  with  just  the  necessary  accent  of  surprise. 
"  You  must  see  how  equivocal  the  position  is." 

"  I  desire  to  hold  no  intercourse  with  you,  monsieur," 
replied  Gerard  coldly. 

"  You  are  really  making  a  bad  matter  worse,"  and 


"I'M  NOT  GERARD  DE  COBALT"      165 

de  Proballe  spread  out  his  hands  deprecatingly.  "  You 
are  either  Gerard  de  Cobalt  or  some  one  else.  If  the 
former,  then  this  is  a  family  matter  which  the  Duke,  in 
his  love  of  justice  and  regard  for  the  honour  of  our 
family,  is  willing  to  see  arranged.  But  if  the  latter,  then 
your  conduct  throughout  is  open  to  great  suspicion.  You 
came  to  the  city  secretly ;  you  took  part  in  our  private 
affairs  without  the  faintest  warrant;  you  led  a  violent 
revolt  against  the  Governor's  soldiers ;  you  have  wounded 
one  of  his  followers — most  unjustifiably;  you  have  forced 
your  way  into  the  Castle  here  and,  if  not  actually  a  spy, 
have  acted  just  as  a  spy  would  have  acted  ;  you  have  been 
watched  and  observed  to  be  in  long  confidential  con- 
ference with  another  stranger — some  pestilent  con- 
tumacious monk ;  and  thus  have  so  gravely  compromised 
yourself  as  to  strain  the  Duke's  clemency  beyond  en- 
durance." 

"  And  all  this  harangue  means — what  ?  "  asked  Gerard, 
bluntly, 

"  That  you  are  in  a  very  ugly  fix  indeed,  in  which  my 
influence  with  the  Duke  can  only  with  difficulty  assist 
3^u.  The  monk  with  whom  you  spoke  has  been  placed 
in  confinement." 

"  You  are  right  in  one  thing,  M.  de  Proballe :  I  can 
read  in  this  your  influence  with  the  Governor.  But  those 
who  know  you  best  know  that  never  yet  did  your  in- 
fluence harm  those  against  whom  it  was  directed  nor  help 
those  for  whom  it  was  cast." 

At  this  moment  a  servant  approached  Gabrielle  with  a 
request  that  she  would  go  at  once  to  the  Duchess.  She 
had  been  taken  ill  suddenly  and  had  asked  urgently  for 
Gabrielle. 

"  I  v.'ill  come  soon." 

"  You  need  not  hesitate  on  account  of  me,"  said  Gerard 
with  a  smile. 

"  These  soldiers  here,"  replied  Gabrielle  in  a  tone  of 


1 66        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

alarm,  as  she  pointed  to  a  number  of  men  who  showed 
in  the  doorways.    "  See.    I  fear  danger." 

"  Tis  the  hour  for  the  change  of  guard,  Gabrielle," 
said  de  Proballe. 

"  I  will  not  go  yet,"  she  declared  firmly. 

"  You  cannot  stay  here,  mademoiselle,"  interposed  the 
Governor  bluntly. 

"  I  will  report  to  you  all  that  passes,  Gabrielle,"  said 
de  Proballe. 

"  I  will  not  go,"  she  repeated. 

"  I  think  you  had  better,"  urged  Gerard. 

"  It  must  be  as  you  will,"  said  de  Proballe,  when  she 
shook  her  head  resolutely.  "  Now  that  the  men  are  here 
they  will  see  that  no  violence  is  done.  Our  Gerard  is  so 
hasty,  such  a  fire-eater,  that  he  might  be  tempted  to  some 
fresh  rashness  which  would  be  fatal  to  all  settlement. 
Wait,"  he  said  as  if  struck  with  a  sudden  thought.  "  It 
will  serve  the  same  purpose  if  you  will  give  me  your 
sword,  Gerard." 

"  That  I  will  never  do,"  was  the  quick  indignant  re- 
sponse. 

"  To  me  then,  monsieur,"  said  the  Governor,  stepping 
forward. 

"  To  no  man,  my  lord." 

"  Then  it  must  be  taken  from  you ;  "  and  the  Governor 
signed  to  the  soldiers. 

In  a  moment  Gerard's  blade  was  out. 

"  Do  you  realize  what  you  are  doing,  and  where  you 
are  ?  "  cried  de  Proballe.  "  Drawing  upon  the  Governor 
of  Morvaix  ?  " 

"  Who  dares  to  lay  a  hand  on  me  may  look  to  himself. 
I  see  your  plan,  monsieur,"  said  Gerard  to  de  Proballe, 
with  a  bitter  smile. 

"  Disarm  him,"  commanded  the  Governor,  his  eyes 
flashing.  **  This  is  treason  against  the  constituted  ruler, 
monsieur." 


'TM  NOT  GERARD  DE  COBALT"      167 

"  Gerard,  Gerard !  "  cried  Gabrielle  in  dire  alarm. 

"  Come,  Gabrielle,  you  must  not  interfere  in  this,"  and 
Je  Proballe  seized  her  hand  and  drew  her  aside. 

Gerard  sprang-  forward  to  interfere,  but  the  soldiers 
interposed  and  prevented  him, 

"  Cut  him  down  if  he  resists,"  was  the  Governor's  com- 
mand, implacably  given. 

For  some  moments  the  fierce  unequal  combat  raged, 
and  two  of  the  soldiers  being  wounded,  the  others  fell 
back  for  a  moment. 

"  My  lord,  stop  this  fighting,"  cried  Gabrielle,  strug- 
gling to  free  herself  from  de  Proballe's  grasp. 

At  her  voice  Gerard  turned  and  made  as  if  to  go  to 
her,  but  the  soldiers,  seeing  that  his  eyes  were  turned 
from  them,  chose  the  moment  to  rush  in  again  and  one  of 
them  sprang  upon  him  from  behind.  Thus  hampered 
he  was  soon  overpowered  by  the  number  who  attacked 
him,  his  sword  was  wrenched  from  his  grasp,  and  he  was 
led  away  a  prisoner. 


CHAPTER  XV 

A   PRISONER 

GABRIELLE  witnessed  the  attack  upon  Gerard 
with  almost  breathless  fear  lest  he  should  be 
wounded  or  even  killed  in  the  fight ;  but  when  she 
saw  him  led  away  a  prisoner  every  feeling  was  merged 
in  fierce  hot  resentment  at  the  outrage. 

De  Proballe  retained  his  hold  of  her  until  Gerard  had 
been  taken  away,  and  the  instant  he  released  her  she 
turned  upon  him  in  magnificen*-  indignation,  she  drew, 
herself  to  her  full  height  and  looked  at  him  with  eyes 
flashing  with  anger. 

"  You  have  shown  me  your  true  character  at  last, 
M.  le  Baron,  and  from  this  point  our  roads  part,  and  we 
are  strangers." 

"  I  did  it  for  your  own  good,  Gabrielle,"  he  said 
apologetically. 

"  You  did  it  because  I  am  only  a  woman.  Were  I  a 
man  you  should  pay  the  penalty  here  and  now.  But  there 
are  those  in  my  household  who  will  not  tamely  see  me 
maltreated,  and  if  you  consult  your  safety  you  will  avoid 
Malincourt.  If  you  come  there,  I  will  have  you  driven 
from  my  door." 

"  You  are  very  angry  and  therefore  very  unrea- 
sonable." 

She  turned  her  back  upon  him  without  a  word  more 
and  approached  the  Governor. 

"  For  the  moment  you  have  your  way,  M.  le  Due ;  but 
the  day  has  not  yet  dawned  when  the  influence  of  m^ 

x6S 


A    PRISONER  169^ 

house  of  Malincourt  stands  for  naught  in  Morvaix.  You 
have  foully  outraged  an  innocent  and  honourable  man, 
and  if  I  have  to  carry  my  appeal  in  person  to  the  King: 
of  France,  I  will  have  justice  done." 

"  I  will  see  you  later,  mademoiselle,  when  your  indig- 
nation has  somewhat  spent  itself  and  you  can  better 
appreciate  what  has  occurred," 

"  My  indignation  will  never  pass,  my  lord,  until  jus- 
tice has  been  done." 

"  Justice  will  be  done,  mademoiselle ;  have  no  fear  on 
that  score.  What  you  have  witnessed  is  but  the  needful 
preliminary." 

"  What  I  mean  is  justice  according  to  the  laws  of 
France,  and  not  according  to  the  Tyrant  of  Morvaix,'* 
she  cried  fearlessly. 

"  In  your  present  mood,  I  have  no  more  to  say ; "  and 
with  a  bow  he  moved  away,  leaving  Gabriel  le  free  to  go 
where  she  would. 

Remembering  the  message  which  had  been  brought  to 
her  and  eager  to  have  some  one  to  whom  she  could  pour 
out  the  tale  of  her  wrongs  and  on  whose  sympathy  she 
could  rely,  Gabrielle  went  to  the  apartments  of  the 
Duchess. 

The  two  men  watched  her  go,  both  moved  by  widely 
different  feelings.  Each  had  been  much  disturbed  by  her 
outburst. 

De  Proballe,  thinking  naturally  of  himself,  was  dis- 
posed to  regret  the  part  he  had  taken.  With  the  doors  of 
Malincourt  shut  against  him  he  saw  the  plans  for  his  own 
future  advancement  in  danger  of  collapse.  He  had  meant 
to  climb  on  Gabrielle's  favour  with  the  Duke  to  greater 
things.  For  this  reason  he  had  welcomed  the  change  of 
plan  which  was  to  make  her  the  Duke's  wife,  and  had 
thrown  himself  readily  into  the  attempts  to  ruin  Gerard 
in  her  eyes.  But  if  he  was  to  be  deprived  of  the  prestige 
which  the  Malincourt  influence  afforded,  he  would  be 


I70        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

left  dependent  only  on  his  own  wits  and  the  Duke's 
favour ;  and  what  a  shifting  sand  the  latter  was,  he  knew 
only  too  well. 

But  the  Governor  was  scarcely  less  furious  than  Gabri- 
-elle  herself,  and  never  being  inclined  to  blame  himself 
laid  the  whole  fault  upon  de  Proballe. 

Gabrielle's  fierce  resentment  had  shown  the  mistake  of 
attacking  Gerard  in  her  presence;  and  the  fact  that  he 
himself  had  given  the  orders  only  heightened  his  rage 
against  de  Proballe.  He  left  the  latter  no  reason  to  mis- 
understand his  attitude. 

"  I  am  to  be  an  outcast,  it  seems,  because  of  this,"  said 
•de  Proballe,  in  as  nonchalant  an  air  as  he  could  assume. 

"  When  a  man  blunders  as  you  have  he  has  no  cause 
lo  quarrel  with  the  consequences,"  was  the  blunt  reply. 

"  As  for  that,  I  am  too  old  a  hand  to  quarrel  when  the 
luck's  against  me.    But  what  blunder  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Everything  you  have  done." 

"  Umph !  I  might  have  expected  it,"  exclaimed  de  Pro- 
balle, with  a  sharp  glance  at  the  Governor's  angry  face. 

"  It  was  your  plan.  Had  I  not  listened  to  you,  matters 
would  have  gone  very  differently.  When  you  learnt  that 
the  man  was  another  than  this  Gerard  de  Cobalt,  you 
should  have  given  me  the  information  privately  and  have 
left  me  to  act.  But  you  must  needs  meddle  in  it  your  own 
way — and  this  is  the  result." 

"  Did  I  know  you  would  bring  Gabrielle  down  to  listen 
to  it  all  ?  The  mischief  is  that  the  man  was  arrested  be- 
fore her  eyes.  All  women  are  hysterical  fools  at  such 
times.  But  at  least  it  was  not  I  who  ordered  your  men  to 
attack  him." 

"  That  is  not  true." 

De  Proballe's  reply  was  a  significant  shrug  of  the 
shoulders. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  give  me  the  lie,  monsieur  ?  "  cried 
the  Governor  passionately. 


A    PRISONER  171 

"  You  had  no  hesitation  about  giving  it  me." 

"  You !  "  A  sneer  this,  of  ineffable  contempt,  and  de 
Proballe  winced  and  bit  his  lip  as  his  sallow  cheeks  paled. 

"  I  have  tried  to  serve  you  in  this,"  he  murmured. 

"  You  had  your  wages  to  earn,  that  is  all.  Even  this 
man  knew  of  your  old  character  in  Paris.  Do  you  think 
I  am  ignorant  of  it  ?  " 

The  taunt  cut  deep,  but  de  Proballe  forced  down  his 
temper  and  answered  with  a  laugh. 

"  Put  not  your  faith  in  princes,"  he  said,  lightly.  "  If 
you  mean  that  having  first  used  me  and  now  abused  me 
you  have  no  further  need  of  my  services,  say  so,  and 
we'll  make  an  end  of  things." 

"  I  have  no  use  for  blunderers  like  you,"  declared  the 
Duke,  sullenly. 

"  Grant  that  a  blunder  has  been  made — as  of  course  it 
has — and  say  if  you  like  that  I  made  it;  whether  is  it 
better  to  waste  time  in  wrangling  over  it  or  to  see  how 
to  repair  it  ?  "  He  paused  a  moment  to  note  how  this 
was  taken,  and  then  added :  "  At  least  you  have  the  man- 
safe  under  bolts  and  bars." 

"  And  in  doing  it  have  changed  your  niece's  passive 
resistance  into  active  violent  hatred." 

"  Oh,  if  it  comes  to  that,  it  would  never  have  been 
a  love  match  on  her  side ; "  and  he  laughed. 

"  To  hell  with  your  sneers,"  cried  the  Govemor 
fiercely. 

"  Life's  too  sour  a  thing  to  be  taken  so  seriously.  I 
meant  no  taunt ;  no  more  than  a  fact.  You  would  have 
had  to  force  it ;  and  will  have  to  do  no  more  now.  Her 
rage  will  cool.  As  I  say,  you  have  the  man  and  can  treat 
him  at  will,  either  as  the  scamp  de  Cobalt  or  the  spy  I 
was  able  to  prove  him.  Give  her  some  few  hours  to 
think  over  his  danger,  and  then  see  how  far  she'll  be 
ready  to  go  to  save  his  life." 

"  Who  can  the  fellow  be  ?  "    De  Proballe  took  heart 


172        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

at  the  question.  He  was  not  going  to  be  thrown  over- 
fcoard  at  once ;  and  he  answered  with  gathering  assurance. 

"  Nay,  rather,  what  does  it  matter  who  he  is  ?  He 
came  here  as  Gerard  de  Cobalt ;  he  owned  it  to  me ;  I  can 
swear  to  that.  Treat  him  as  no  other.  I  called  him  by 
his  name  that  your  people  might  hear ;  what  I  said  to  you 
before  the  arrest  stands  as  good  now  as  then — deal  with 
him  for  that  murder  at  Cambrai.  You  have  him  tight 
enough  by  that  rope  and  can  answer  his  repudiation  by 
simply  disbelieving  it  and  regarding  it  as  made  when  he 
found  himself  in  a  mess.  Gerard  de  Cobalt  he  was,  and 
Gerard  de  Cobalt  I  should  let  him  remain." 

"  But  who  is  he  ?    And  what  does  he  here  ?  " 

"  Have  you  no  persuasive  methods  in  this  Castle  of 
yours?  I  have  heard  that  many  a  prisoner  has  before 
now  been  led  to  confess  his  crime  and  so  save  an  infinite 
amount  of  trouble  in  collecting  proofs." 

"  My  mind  misgives  me,"  murmured  the  Governor 
uneasily. 

"  Ah,  that's  Gabrielle's  influence ; "  and  de  Proballe 
smiled,  not  pleasantly.  "  This  is  no  woman's  work, 
Duke."  He  felt  that  his  words  were  beginning  to  have 
influence  again. 

"  But  if  he  be,  as  I  suspect,  a  spy,  in  what  interest  is 
he  here?" 

"  Even  spies  can  be  induced  to  speak  in  old  Pierre's 
chamber.  Have  him  placed  there,  and  you  and  I  can 
visit  him  later." 

"  Do  I  seek  your  advice  where  to  place  my  prisoners  ?  " 
asked  the  Governor,  angrily.  "  But  I  will  have  him  sent 
there,"  he  added,  after  a  pause. 

"  Ah !  "  and  de  Proballe  smiled  again  cunningly.  "  All 
will  soon  be  well  again,  then,  and  this  little  mistake  made 
good.  Few  men  can  long  resist  the  creaking  arguments 
jof  the  rack." 

The  Governor  was  silent  long  enough  for  de  Proballe 
to  think  of  another  scheme. 


A    PRISONER  173 

"  There  is,  of  course,  another  way.  The  lever  you  have 
with  Gabrielle  is  this  precious  fellow's  life  and  safety^ 
and  if  he  chanced  to  get  maimed  in  the  progress  of  in- 
quiry, she  would  take  it  very  ill.  Promise  her  his  life  if 
she  will  consent  to  marry  you  at  once.  Then  send  him 
out  of  the  city — with  an  escort.  Escorts  have  been  known 
to  quarrel  with  their  charges  before  now,"  he  added  drily. 
"  This  man,  if  he  be  in  truth  a  spy,  may  be  dangerous. 
There  is  that  monk,  too,  who  should  also  be  put  to  the 
question.    Perchance  he  knows  all  that  you  need  to  learn.'* 

"  I  had  forgotten  him." 

"  I  had  not,  and  one  man  is  as  good  as  another  whea 
it  comes  to  getting  information.  Leave  this  to  me,  Duke. 
I  shall  not  blunder  again.  Meanwhile,  you  can  go  to 
Gabrielle  with  a  free  hand,  to  g^ve  her  any  assurances 
she  may  ask." 

"  We  will  speak  of  it  later ;  I  must  think,"  said  the 
Governor. 

De  Proballe  looked  after  him  as  he  walked  away,  and 
laughed  softly  to  himself.  "  What  a  cauldron  of  trouble 
does  this  plaguey  love  brew  for  us  fools  of  mortals !  "  he 
muttered.  "  Here  are  the  whole  affairs  of  a  city  tum- 
bled topsy-turvy,  hither-thither,  because  Gabrielle  has  a. 
pretty  face  and  yonder  sour-visaged  loon  is  sick  to  kiss 
it.  Aye,  aye,  and  blood  will  flow  too,  and  men's  pates 
will  be  cracked  and  their  throats  slit  before  his  heart 
ceases  to  ache,  or  I  am  no  reader  of  signs ;  and  'twill  be 
luck  more  than  judgment  that  will  carry  one  safe 
through  the  hurly-burly." 

Meanwhile  Gabrielle  had  carried  her  storm  of  wrath 
to  the  Duchess  and  had  poured  out  her  story  with  half- 
incoherent  vehemence  until  her  friend,  whose  sudderk 
faintness  had  been  invented  by  de  Proballe  as  a  lure  to 
get  Gabrielle  away,  was  like  to  be  overcome  in  truth. 

But  even  a  girl's  wrath,  however  righteous,  cannot 
last  for  ever ;  and  thus  in  time  Gabrielle's  began  to  abate 


174        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

its  hurricane  force,  and  gradually  her  furious  indig^ration 
hardened  into  a  stern  determination  to  secure  Gerard's 
freedom  and  to  thwart  and  punish  those  who  had  so  mal- 
treated him. 

"  You  have  been  so  vehement,  child,  I  could  scarce 
understand  you,"  said  the  Duchess.  "  I  know  how  it 
«ases  trouble  to  give  it  free  vent ;  and  so  I  would  not  in- 
terrupt to  get  you  to  clear  the  tangled  skeins  for  me.  But 
now  let  us  see  what  we  can  do." 

"  I  am  nearly  mad  when  I  think  of  it,"  cried  Gabrielle. 
*'  If  this  shameful  deed  is  not  prevented,  I  believe  I 
shall  go  mad  indeed.  If  aught  of  harm  comes  to  him, 
I  will  spend  my  life  in  avenging  him." 

"  But  now  tell  me,  who  is  he  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know  nor  do  I  care.  For  me  he  is  the  best, 
the  bravest,  and  the  noblest  man  that  ever  lived." 

The  Duchess  smiled,  but  did  not  let  Gabrielle  see  the 
smile.  She  loved  the  girl  dearly,  and  her  heart  was  still 
young  enough  to  sympathize  even  with  such  a  rhapsody. 
But  the  contrast  between  this  whirlwind  mood  and 
Gabrielle's  former  calm  and  unmoved  indifference  to  all 
men,  and  especially  to  all  lovers,  was  too  startling  not 
to  appeal  to  her. 

"  He  should  have  proclaimed  himself,  Gabrielle,  and 
then  all  this  trouble  might  have  been  spared."  This  was 
good  common  sense,  but  love  and  youth  are  contemptuous 
of  common  sense.  To  Gabrielle  it  savoured  of  distrust 
of  Gerard. 

"  He  did  rightly.  He  could  not  do  wrong,  Duchess," 
she  cried.  "  His  motive  was  nobleness  itself.  We  drove 
him  into  assuming  my  cousin's  part;  he  did  it  for  my 
sake  and  mine  only;  and  he  could  not  make  himself 
known  in  his  own  name  until  he  had  justified  himself 
in  my  eyes.  You  would  not  have  had  him  do  other- 
wise.    I  would  not,  not  for  a  thousand  worlds." 

"  It  would  have  been  less  romantic,  but  very  much 


A    PRISONER  175: 

simpler,  my  dear  child,"  was  the  practical  reply,  very- 
kindly  spoken.  "  But  we  have  to  deal  with  the  matter  as 
it  stands.  Tell  me  why  did  the  Duke  have  him  placed 
under  arrest?  " 

"  For  no  cause  except — oh,  I  burn  with  shame  when  I 
think  of  it.    The  Duke  believes  that  he  cares  for  me." 

"  And  doesn't  he  ? "  she  asked  all  innocently,  mis- 
taking Gabrielle. 

"  Don't  you  understand  ?  "  exclaimed  Gabrielle,  quick- 
ly. "  I  mean  the  Duke  himself ;  he — he  forced  the  words 
on  me  after  I  saw  you  to-day.     Oh,  it  is  shameful." 

"  Gabrielle,  it  is  a  terrible  charge  you  are  bringing." 

"  It  is  the  truth ;  and  in  such  a  pass  as  this,  nothing 
less  than  the  truth  will  serve.  If  it  is  terrible  merely  to 
speak  of,  what  is  it  actually  to  do  it?  Gerard's  life  is  in 
danger  because  he  loves  me  and  I  love  him.  That  is  the 
infamy  of  it  all." 

For  some  moments  her  friend  made  no  reply. 

"  I  cannot  believe  it,  Gabrielle,"  she  said  at  length,  ia 
a  voice  of  such  pain  that  Gabrielle  turned  and  threw  her- 
self at  her  side  and  kissed  her. 

"  Forgive  me,  dearest  friend,  oh,  forgive  me.  I  did 
not  think  what  I  was  saying.  In  my  mad  selfish  sorrow 
I  forgot  the  suffering  I  was  causing  you." 

"  This  then  was  the  reason  why  he  urged  me  to-day.  I 
understand  now.  It  comes  as  the  last  of  many  wrongs,, 
the  crown  of  so  many  sorrows ; "  and  a  deep  and  bitter 
sigh  escaped  her. 

"  Forgive  me,  dearest  and  truest,  forgfive  me,"  whis- 
pered Gabrielle. 

"  It  is  not  you  need  seek  forgiveness,  Gabrielle — and" 
he  need  never  ask  it.  He  hid  this  from  me,  pleading" 
every  other  ground — policy,  expediency,  the  good  of  the 
people,  the  needs  of  Morvaix — anything  and  everything 
but  this.  Ah,  Gabrielle,  the  bitterest  hour  of  a  woman's 
life  is  when  she  wakens  to  the  knowledge  that  her  worst 
enemy  is  her  own  husband." 


176        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

"  My  dearest,  my  dearest,"  murmured  Gabrielle.  "  I 
am  so  sorry." 

"  No,  Gabrielle,  we  will  not  grieve,  we  will  act.  To- 
gether we  will  plan  and  save  your  lover,  be  he  true  man 
or  false :  for  false  a  man  may  always  be." 

"Not  Gerard.    NeverJ  " 

"  In  God's  mercy  we  will  hope  not,  for  your  sweet 
sake.  For  though  he  be  true  as  steel,  yet  is  he  in  a  sorry 
plight ;  and  we,  you  and  I  together,  sweetheart,  will  save 
him.  We  must  first  get  him  out  of  the  Castle  and  the 
task  may  test  our  wits.  Think,  child,  think ;  don't  waste 
time  in  useless  repinings  over  the  inevitable.  We  have 
work  to  do." 

"  I  knew  I  could  rely  on  you,"  said  Gabrielle. 

"  First  we  must  find  out  where  they  have  bestowed  him. 
Pauline  can  do  this.  She  is  old  Pierre's  daughter — you 
know  how  together  we  saved  her  from  ruin — and  she 
will  serve  us  both  to  the  death;  and  so  too  will  her 
father.    Call  her,  and  she  will  be  at  hand." 

Gabrielle  hastened  away  to  return  in  a  minute  with 
the  maid. 

*'  Pauline,  we  are  going  to  trust  you,"  said  the  Duchess. 
*'  You  will  be  faithful,  I  know ;  and  will  do  what  we  need 
cleverly  and  secretly — for  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt's 
sake  as  well  as  mine." 

"  With  all  my  heart,  miladi,"  answered  the  girl,  a 
bright-eyed  shrewd  brunette. 

"  There  has  been  an  arrest  in  the  Castle,  within  the 
past  hour  or  so,  of  a  M.  de  Cobalt.  Go  and  find  out 
where  he  has  been  bestowed.  Your  father  can  tell  you. 
No  one  else  must  know  that  I  have  even  asked.  And 
be  quick." 

"  You  give  me  hope  already,"  said  Gabrielle,  as  the 
girl  left. 

"  I  will  do  more  than  that ;  child,  I  will  give  you  your 
lover.    I  am  feeble  and  bedridden,  but  not  yet  helpless. 


A    PRISONER  177 

As  soon  as  we  know  where  he  is,  we  will  have  a  plan  to 
set  him  free.  I  know  the  secrets  of  every  cell  in  the 
Castle ;  and  unless  he  has  been  placed  in  one  of  the  under- 
ground dungeons  of  the  keep,  there  is  not  one  I  cannot 
help  him  out  of." 

Their  impatience  and  anxiety  made  the  interval  before 
Pauline's  return  seem  long ;  but  when  she  came,  she  had 
done  her  errand  well  and  brought  the  expected  news. 

"  The  gentleman  is  placed  in  one  of  the  cells  in  my 
father's  ward,  miladi,"  she  said,  "  and  very  strict  orders 
have  been  given  as  to  his  close  watching," 

"  Which  cell,  Pauline  ? "  The  girl's  eyes  signalled 
trouble  at  the  question. 

"  Oh,  miladi,"  she  exclaimed,  distressfully.  **  He  was 
at  first  placed  elsewhere  and  has  just  been  moved  by  the 
Governor's  orders  into  the — the  turret  cell."  She  shud- 
dered as  she  mentioned  it  and  glanced  toward  Gabrielle 
who  noticed  the  look  and  the  gesture. 

"  What  is  the  turret  cell  ?  "  she  asked.  Pauline  bit  her 
lips  and  was  silent. 

"  A  place  from  which  he  must  be  rescued,  Gabrielle,  as 
soon  as  we  can  form  the  plan ;"  and  the  Duchess  warned 
Pauline  with  a  glance  to  be  silent.  "  While  the  daylight 
lasts  nothing  is  possible ;  but  as  soon  as  darkness  falls  the 
attempt  must  be  made.  Pauline,  you  must  go  to  your 
father  again,  and  tell  him  from  me  that  no  harm  must 
befall  this  prisoner,  and  that  at  the  least  sign  of  danger, 
notice  must  be  brought  to  me.  The  escape  must  be 
managed  to-night ;  and  say  that  later  I  will  send  full  in- 
structions how  he  is  to  act.  If  he  can  offer  a  suggestion, 
let  him  send  it  by  you.  I  will  protect  him  from  the 
Duke's  anger." 

"  My  father  would  give  his  life  for  you,  miladi,"  said 
Pauline  earnestly,  and  hurried  from  the  room  again. 

"  Have  no  fear,  Gabrielle,  your  lover  shall  be  free  to- 
night.   We  can  get  him  from  the  cell  where  he  lies ;  but 


178        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

it  is  more  difficult  to  get  him  from  the  Castle.  Yet 
where  can  he  remain  until  the  chance  offers?  Come, 
child,  let  us  set  our  woman's  wits  to  work." 

"  What  is  this  turret  cell  that  both  you  and  Pauline 
were  afraid  even  to  mention  to  me  ?  I  saw  the  looks  that 
passed  between  you." 

The  Duchess  paused  for  a  moment  and  thought 
anxiously, 

"  You  had  best  know,  perhaps,  Gabrielle,  for  you  may 
have  to  use  the  secrets  of  the  place.  It  is  the  place  which 
you  may  have  heard  called  the  '  Tiger's  Den.'  A  place 
of  devilish  contrivances  where  prisoners  are  put  to  the 
question  and  where  many  dark  deeds  have  been  done." 

"  Do  you  mean  they  would  dare  to  torture  him  ?  "  cried 
Gabrielle. 

"  I  tell  you  merely  that  you  may  know  the  urgency  of 
the  matter.  But  diabolical  as  the  place  is,  it  may  yet 
serve  our  purpose  better  than  another.  It  stands  high 
up  in  the  north  turret,  and  its  one  barred  window  over- 
looks the  courtyard,  sixty  feet  below.  Death  waits  for 
the  unhappy  prisoner  who  thus  seeks  escape ;  and  many 
a  man  has  gone  that  wa}^  to  his  death.  But  with  a  stout 
rope,  a  clever  climber  can  reach  the  bottom  safely;  yes, 
yes,  I  have  the  idea,"  she  cried.    "  Let  me  think." 

"  Tell  me.    I  am  on  fire." 

"  One  devilment  of  the  place  is  this.  A  part  of  the 
wall  with  the  portion  of  the  floor  next  to  it  is  false.  On 
this  the  prisoner's  pallet  is  laid ;  and  when  the  wretched 
man  is  asleep  the  floor  and  the  wall  together  can  be 
turned  outward  with  sudden  swiftness  by  the  hidden 
mechanism,  and  the  sleeper  is  shot  out  and  down  to  his 
death  on  the  stones  below.  The  wall  is  then  replaced 
and  by  another  hidden  trick  the  bars  of  the  windows  are 
made  to  appear  as  if  wrenched  from  their  places,  and 
thus  the  suggestive  evidence  is  ready  to  show  that  the 
prisoner  has  killed  himself  in  an  attempt  to  escape." 


A    PRISONER  179 

**  Can  such  things  be  possible  ?  " 

"  There  is  no  limit  to  man's  cruelty  to  man,  child ;  we 
can  use  this  window  trick  for  our  end.  I  can  tell  you 
how  to  find  the  spring  that  moves  the  bars ;  you  can  take 
to  your  prisoner  such  a  rope  as  would  enable  him  to 
escape,  open  the  bars,  leave  the  rope  dangling  from  the 
casement  to  suggest  he  has  so  fled ;  and  then  bring  him 
here,  where  he  can  lie  hid  until  we  can  find  means  to 
smuggle  him  out  of  the  Castle  and  Morvaix." 

"  Would  God  it  were  dark  already,"  exclaimed  Gabri- 
elle  eagerly.  "  Till  the  time  comes,  the  seconds  will  be 
as  hours." 

At  that  moment  they  were  interrupted  and  news  was, 
brought  that  Lucette  was  asking  for  Gabrielle. 


CHAPTER  XVI 


PASCAL   AND    THE    SPY 


LUCETTE'S  visit  to  the  Castle  in  quest  of  Gabrielle 
was  the  result  of  several  causes  which  had  impor- 
tant bearing  upon  the  position. 

In  the  first  place  Gerard's  plan  to  send  a  second  mes- 
senger in  hot  haste  to  Cambrai,  urging  his  cousin  in 
command  of  the  Bourbon  troops  there  to  hurry  on  to 
Morvaix,  had  been  delayed.  The  messenger  had  been 
stopped  at  the  city  gate. 

Pascal,  in  his  monk's  garb,  was  present  and  had  been 
greatly  disconcerted  and  not  a  little  alarmed  by  the  mis- 
chance. If  it  meant  nothing  more  serious  it  must  in- 
volve delay.  The  message  must  be  despatched  somehow, 
that  was  certain,  because  everything  depended  upon  the 
troops  being  brought  up  at  the  earliest  opportunity. 

To  attempt  this  in  the  daylight  seemed  impracticable; 
since  the  messenger  would  have  to  drop  from  the  walls 
at  some  favouring  point,  and  the  cover  of  darkness  was 
necessary  for  such  a  venture.  Moreover,  a  spot  would 
have  to  be  found  where  the  thing  could  be  done ;  and 
neither  Pascal  nor  any  of  his  men  knew  enough  of  the  city 
to  select  one.  There  was,  further,  the  imminent  risk  that 
the  courier,  being  on  foot,  might  be  intercepted  and  so 
the  whole  plan  fail. 

But  in  this  dilemma,  help  came  most  unexpectedly.  A 
stranger  accosted  Pascal,  and  recognizing  him  as  the 
monk  who  had  stood  between  the  citizens  and  the  crowd 

i8o 


.PASCAL    AND    THE    SPY'  i8i 

in  the  market  place,  offered  his  assistance.  He  was,  he 
said,  the  brother  of  Babillon  the  smith,  the  murdered  man. 

After  a  few  pointed  questions  Pascal  decided  to  accept 
his  help,  and  left  him  in  the  care  of  his  men,  while  he 
made  fresh  plans.  He  resolved  that  two  couriers  should 
go  to  Cambrai  by  separate  paths,  each  carrying  a 
despatch ;  and  in  view  of  the  grave  risks  he  decided  to 
be  one  of  them. 

He  returned  accordingly  to  Malincourt,  in  his  char- 
acter of  servant,  to  find  Gerard  and  get  the  despatch 
duplicated;  but  on  learning  that  Gerard  was  still  at  the 
Castle,  he  assumed  once  more  his  monk's  garb  and  went 
after  him. 

The  news  that  met  him  greatly  increased  his  un- 
easiness. Both  Gerard  and  Dubois  had  been  arrested  by 
the  Duke,  for  what  reason  no  one  knew  for  certain,  al- 
though it  was  rumoured  that  his  assumed  character  had 
been  discovered.  Pascal  knew  enough  to  guess  more,  and 
he  was  not  long  in  deciding  how  to  act. 

It  was  clear  that  with  both  Gerard  and  Dubois  in  con- 
finement he  himself  could  not  leave  the  city  and  could 
not  get  a  second  despatch  from  Gerard  ;  and,  further,  that 
without  waiting  for  the  cover  of  darkness  a  courier  must 
be  got  out  of  the  city  at  once. 

He  could  act  very  promptly  at  need,  and  he  did  so 
now.  He  added  a  letter  to  the  leader  at  Cambrai  telling 
him  what  had  befallen  Gerard  and  urging  the  utmost 
haste;  and  wrote  two  other  despatches  for  d'Alembert 
describing  the  situation.  By  the  aid  of  Babillon  two 
men  were  despatched  at  once  from  different  points  with 
orders  to  procure  horses  at  the  earliest  moment  after 
getting  free  of  the  city  and  to  ride  with  all  speed  to 
Cambrai ;  and  he  impressed  upon  both  that  the  life  of 
their  young  lord  might  depend  upon  their  zeal.  The  third 
despatch  two  carefully  picked  men  were  to  carry,  and 
were  not  to  start  until  dark  had  fallen. 


182        A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

The  next  problem  was  the  much  more  difficult  one  of 
getting  Gerard  out  of  the  Governor's  hands.  This  must 
be  done  by  force  if  necessary  and  in  the  last  resort ;  and 
a  place  must  be  provided  to  which  he  could  be  brought, 
where  a  stand  could  be  made  with  some  hope  of  holding 
the  Governor  at  bay  until  d'Alembert  could  reach  the 
city  with  the  troops. 

Malincourt  was  obviously  the  best  place  for  such  a 
stand.  It  was  strongly  built,  had  ample  room  for  the 
necessary  force  of  men,  and  was  sure  to  contain  a  store 
of  provisions  which  could  be  increased  without  any  sus- 
picion being  raised.  Moreover,  he  believed  there  were 
arms  there. 

He  instructed  the  men  in  the  city,  therefore,  to  go  in 
their  monk's  gabardines  and  purchase  each  for  himself 
enough  provision  for  three  days,  on  the  plea  that  they 
were  setting  out  on  a  pilgrimage  on  the  morrow;  after 
which  they  were  to  remain  in  readiness  for  a  summons 
to  meet  him  at  any  hour. 

Having  the  first  steps  arranged,  he  returned  to  Malin- 
court, omitting  in  his  haste  to  put  off  his  monk's  gown. 
He  meant  to  see  Gabrielle  and  tell  her  plainly  what  his 
plans  were,  and  consult  with  her  as  to  the  best  means 
of  rescuing  Gerard  and  Dubois. 

Here  came  a  check,  however.  Gabrielle  was  not  at  the 
maison  ;  and  as  he  stood  in  the  great  hall  considering  how 
he  could  best  find  her,  he  was  seen  by  Jacques  Dauban. 
The  spy  had  been  sent  back  to  Malincourt  by  de  Proballe 
to  fetch  away  certain  papers  which  now,  that  the  maison 
was  shut  to  him,  were  too  incriminating  to  be  left  there. 

It  was  Dauban  who  had  carried  the  news  to  the  Gov- 
ernor's Castle  that  Gerard  was  not  really  de  Cobalt,  and 
having  been  a  witness  of  Dubois'  arrest,  was  struck  by 
the  fact  that  another  monk,  of  the  same  order  apparently, 
should  be  found  at  Malincourt.  Scenting  a  mystery  he 
resolved  to  follow  it  up. 


PASCAL   AND   THE    SPY  183 

Pascal,  unwilling  to  be  recognized  in  his  disguise, 
would  have  avoided  him,  but  Dauban  made  this  im- 
practicable, and  thus  Pascal  was  reduced  to  the  device  of 
drawing  his  cowl  close  so  as  to  hide  his  features  so  far 
as  possible. 

"  Give  you  gooden,  good  father?  "  began  Dauban, 

"  Pax  vobiscum,  son,"  replied  Pascal,  deepening  and 
altering  his  voice. 

"  Can  I  help  you,  father  ?  I  am  of  the  household  here — 
the  secretary." 

"  Then  truly  you  may.  I  have  a  message  I  would  de- 
liver to  miladi  of  Malincourt,  and  would  have  speech 
with  her." 

"  I  know  her  business  well  and  am  high  in  her  confi- 
dence. Is  it  a  matter  of  urgency  ?  I  am  even  now  on  my 
way  to  her." 

"  Could  you  get  to  her  at  once,  or  deliver  a  letter 
secretly  ?  " 

"  That  would  be  easy  enough — the  letter  I  mean." 

"  Can  I  trust  you  ?  "  Dauban  met  the  piercing  eyes 
fixed  on  him  through  the  close  drawn  cowl,  as  if  in  sus- 
picion, and  answered  as  he  thought  with  cunning 
frankness. 

"  That  must  be  as  you  please.  Miladi  herself  does. 
But  you  must  decide  quickly,  for  she  waits  for  me." 

The  monk  appeared  to  hesitate  and  glancing  round 
lowered  his  tone. 

"  Do  you  know  aught  of  this  business  of  the  so-called 
Gerard  de  Cobalt?" 

"  Not  so  loud,  father.  I  know  of  his  arrest  and  am 
even  now  engaged  in  the  task  of  procuring  his  release." 
It  was  a  clever  lie  and  seemed  to  impose  on  the  monk. 

"  Good,"  he  said.  "  Lead  me  where  I  can  write.  Life 
and  death  depend  on  your  good  faith." 

"  Follow  me,"  said  Dauban,  and  led  the  way  to  de 
Proballe's  apartments.    On  the  way  they  chanced  to  meet 


1 84        A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

Lucette,  who  looked  at  the  pair  with  curious  eyes.  Won- 
dering what  Dauban  could  be  doing  in  such  company,  she 
followed  at  a  distance  and  resolved  to  watch. 

"  Are  we  alone  here  ?  "  asked  Pascal. 

"  Quite.    You  need  have  no  fear  on  that  score." 

"  Those  doors — are  they  locked  ?  If  not,  lock  them  and 
bring  the  keys  here." 

All  unsuspecting  and  wishing  to  win  his  companion's 
confidence,  Dauban  did  so  and  laid  the  keys  on  the  table 
before  him.  As  if  still  doubting,  Pascal  glanced  round 
the  room  for  himself,  taking  advantage  of  the  minute 
to  loose  his  habit  stealthily. 

"  Paper,  monsieur,"  he  said,  and  while  Dauban's  back 
was  toward  him  he  slipped  off  his  habit  and  laughed. 

At  his  laugh  Dauban  turned,  and  the  colour  fled  from 
his  face  in  the  fright  of  the  recognition. 

"  Now,  Master  Spy,  we  will  have  a  little  talk  and  an 
understanding,"  said  Pascal.  "  Sit  down  there,"  pointing 
to  a  seat,  "  and  if  you  give  but  one  faint  sign  of  re- 
sistance, I'll  first  break  half  the  bones  in  your  body  up 
here,  and  then  pitch  you  from  the  casement  yonder  for 
the  courtyard  stones  to  break  the  other  half." 

The  spy  sat  staring  open-eyed  and  agape  at  him, 
cursing  himself  for  his  blindness  in  not  having  recognized 
Pascal ;  and  cudgelling  his  wits  how  to  get  out  of  the 
trap  into  which  he  had  walked,  and  in  abject  fear  for 
himself. 

"  You  thought  to  trap  me.  Master  Spy,  and  instead  I've 
trapped  you.  Now  understand,  I'm  in  too  dangerous  a 
mood  to  bear  any  trifling  and  am  in  desperate  haste.  Do 
all  I  tell  you  and  do  it  at  once,  and  answer  my  questions 
plainly,  and  you'll  save  your  life ;  but  try  to  fool  me  and — 
well,  I've  told  you  what  I'll  do,  and  I'm  a  man  of  my 
word." 

"  I've  no  desire " 

".Silence,  till  I  bid  you  speak.    This  is  your  master's 


PASCAL    AND    THE    SPY  185 

rcx)m  and  you  are  in  his  confidence.  You  know  the  part 
he  has  played  in  all  this  business  about  M.  de  Cobalt- 
Find  at  once  and  give  to  me  every  paper  that  concerns  it." 

"I  know  nothing,  monsieur,  I  swear;  and  there  are 
no  papers.    I'll  swear  it  on  the  holy  crucifix." 

"If  you  keep  me  dallying  in  this  way  the  next  oath 
you  take  about  it  will  be  in  hell,"  growled  Pascal  sternly. 

"  I  declare  on  my  soul "    But  before  he  could  say 

more  Pascal  had  him  by  the  throat  and  shook  him  till  his 
teeth  rattled  and  the  stars  came  out  in  myriads  in  the 
firmament  of  his  dazed  sight. 

"  Now  perhaps  you're  frightened  enough  to  tell  the 
truth,"  he  cried,  with  a  fierce  oath,  as  he  flung  him  back 
on  the  seat.  The  spy  fell  doubled  up  against  the  teble 
and  as  Pascal  jerked  him  up  again  he  heard  the  crackle 
of  papers  under  his  doublet. 

"  So  you  have  them  on  you,  you  sly  devil,  have  you? 
Strip,  to  the  skin,  and  let  me  see  what's  there.  If  I  play 
valet  for  you  you'll  find  little  play  in  it,  on  my  oath." 

"  I'll  tell  you  all,  monsieur,"  gasped  Dauban,  faintly. 
"  Let  me  but  get  my  breath." 

"  I  want  no  more  of  your  lies.    Give  me  the  papers.'* 

"  They  are  there,"  and  Dauban  pointed  to  a  desk. 

"  Thank  you,  master  liar,  but  first  I'll  have  those  on 

you.     Quick  or "   and  another  threatening  gesture 

finished  the  sentence. 

Slowly  and  with  a  groan  of  anguish,  Dauban  took  out 
some  of  the  papers  he  had  concealed  in  his  clothes,  and 
laid  them  on  the  table. 

"  The  rest,"  said  Pascal,  putting  these  out  of  the  spy's 
reach.  "  Strip  and  don't  try  my  temper  farther,  or  I'll 
not  answer  for  myself." 

Trembling  so  that  his  aching  teeth  chattered,  Dauban 
obeyed  the  command ;  and  as  each  garment  was  drawn 
oflF  Pascal  examined  it  for  any  concealed  documents,  and 
a  quick  glance  at  what  he  found  showed  him  the  nature 


1 86        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

and  value  of  his  discovery.  He  had  the  proofs  not  only 
of  de  Proballe's  infamy  but  also  of  the  Duke's  complicity 
in  everything. 

"  Now  open  these  places  and,  while  I  search,  put  on 
your  clothes  again.    Quick !  "  he  thundered. 

Then  Dauban  formed  a  plan.  Terror-stricken  though 
he  was,  he  had  yet  sense  to  reflect  that  he  could  never 
face  his  master  with  such  a  confession.  He  donned  his 
clothes  rapidly  and  going  to  the  cupboard  said — 

"  There  is  a  secret  hiding  place  here,  monsieur." 

But  Pascal  was  as  sharp  as  a  dagger's  point,  and  on 
the  instant  detected  a  change  of  tone,  and  was  ready  for 
a  trick. 

"  Open  it,"  he  said,  curtly,  and  without  turning  his 
head  shifted  his  position  just  sufficiently  to  watch  the 
spy.  Dauban  made  a  pretence  of  opening  some  secret 
recess  and  Pascal  saw  him  snatch  up  something  and 
conceal  it. 

"  It  is  open,  monsieur,"  said  the  spy. 

"  Good,  Fright  makes  a  ready  servant  of  you,"  replied 
Pascal ;  and  as  if  unsuspicious  of  treacher>%  crossed  the 
room  turning  his  back  to  give  the  spy  his  chance. 

With  a  quick  stealthy  rush  Dauban  sprang  forward 
only  to  find  himself  foiled,  his  uplifted  right  hand  caught 
in  a  grip  of  iron,  the  weapon  taken  from  it  and  himself 
pinned  against  the  wall  with  fingers  of  steel  playing  on 
his  windpipe  and  Pascal's  eyes  gleaming  close  to  his.  He 
wriggled  and  fought  with  the  strength  of  despair;  but 
the  air  was  shut  from  his  lungs,  his  sight  grew  blurred, 
a  blood  red  mist  surged  about  him,  and  then  all  was  dark 
with  the  darkness  of  death. 

"  The  sly  treacherous  devil,"  murmured  Pascal,  as  he 
let  the  inert  helpless  body  of  the  spy  slip  to  the  ground. 
"  Who'd  have  thought  he'd  even  enough  pluck  for  such 
a  thing?  " 

What  to  do  with  him  was  a  difficulty,  however     Pascal 


PASCAL   AND   THE    SPY  187 

had  already  lost  time  which  could  ill  be  spared  and  having 
had  one  experience  of  Dauban's  cleverness  in  slipping 
out  of  his  bonds,  he  was  loth  to  trust  again  to  mere  cords. 

A  hurried  search  of  the  room  offered  no  solution,  and 
for  the  moment  there  seemed  nothing  for  it  save  the 
desperate  step  of  plunging  the  knife  into  his  heart.  He 
had  earned  death  by  his  last  murderous  attack,  and  Pascal 
picked  up  the  weapon;  but  he  shrank  from  the  deed, 
and  with  the  object  of  obtaining  the  assistance  of  some  of 
the  household,  he  opened  the  door. 

In  the  corridor  he  found  Lucette  strolling  near  the 
room  with  an  assumed  air  of  indifference.  On  seeing  him 
she  made  as  if  to  hurry  away,  and  he  called  her. 

"  Mademoiselle,  you  must  help  me,"  he  said,  somewhat 
brusquely  and  with  a  touch  of  command  in  his  tone. 

"  Where  is  the  monk,  monsieur?  "  she  asked,  shrinking 
from  him,  "  and  Jacques  Dauban  ?  What  is  the  mean- 
ing of  that  knife?"  and  she  pointed  at  the  knife  which 
unwittingly  he  retained  in  his  hand. 

"  I  am  the  monk,  mademoiselle.  For  God's  sake  don't 
run  off  in  that  way."  He  turned  and  tossed  the  knife 
back  into  the  room.  "  Did  you  think  I  had  murdered 
myself  and  with  an  unstained  knife?"  he  asked,  and 
smiled.  "  I  am  here  on  M.  de  Cobalt's  business  and 
miladi  of  Malincourt's,  and  I  must  have  help." 

Reassured  by  his  tone  she  returned  then. 

"  What  has  happened  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  That  which  may  help  to  straighten  all  this  devil  of  a 
tangle.  I  have  tricked  that  spy  of  de  Proballe's  and 
pinched  half  the  life  out  of  him,  and  must  have  help  to 
get  him  safely  caged.  He  proved  too  slippery  for  me 
once  before," 

"  I  don't  understand." 

"  I'll  show  you; "  and  he  opened  the  door  so  that  she 
saw  Dauban. 

"  Is  he  dead  ?  "  she  asked,  shrinking  again. 


i88        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  He  would  be  if  he  had  his  deserts." 

"  But  what  does  it  all  mean  ?  " 

"  Such  a  cauldron  of  troubles  as  the  devil  loves  to  set 
a-bubbling,  mademoiselle.  M.  Gerard  de  Cobalt  has  been 
found  to  be  not  Gerard  de  Cobalt  and  the  Governor  has 
clapped  him  into  one  of  his  Castle  cells  ;  this  cur  here  and 
his  mangy  master  are  at  the  bottom  of  it — I  have  just 
laid  hands  on  the  written  proofs  of  their  part.  I  have 
had  a  busy  afternoon  and  am  in  search  of  Mademoiselle 
de  Malincourt,  and  must  find  her  at  once.  I  have  no  time 
to  fill  in  the  details  for  you ;  so  smother  your  curiosity 
and  just  say  if  you  will  help  me?  " 

"  You  have  a  commanding  way  with  you,  monsieur, 
for  a  serving  man,"  cried  Lucette  with  a  smile. 

"  I  am  no  serving  man,  but  just  a  soldier ;  and  by  your 
leave  have  no  time  for  badinage.  There  is  much  to  be 
done,  and  talk  must  wait  on  action.  I  want  irons  and 
a  guard  for  this  carrion  here.  Can  they  be  got  in  the 
maison?  If  not,  I  must  take  the  knife  to  him,  much  as 
I  dislike  it.  But  his  babbling  tongue  must  be  silenc-ed, 
or  we  shall  all  be  in  peril." 

"  You  would  not  kill  him  in  cold  blood  ?  "  cried  Lucette, 
with  a  look  of  horror. 

"  I  would  kill  any  one  and  any  thing  that  stood  between 
me  and  my  master's  safety." 

"  I  can  get  what  you  need,"  she  said,  and  hurried  away, 
to  return  quickly  with  a  couple  of  men  with  manacles. 
Pascal  gave  them  his  orders,  and  placing  the  gyves  on 
Dauban's  wrists — none  too  gently,  for  the  spy  was  hated 
by  every  one — they  carried  him  away. 

"  Now,  mademoiselle,  you  must  find  a  place  of  security 
for  these,"  said  Pascal,  giving  Lucette  the  papers.  "  De 
Proballe  may  come  in  search  of  his  precious  spy,  and  he 
must  not  find  these,  nor  must  any  one  know  aught  of  the 
spy's  whereabouts.  If  my  advice  be  followed  I  would 
clap  the  master  in  the  next  cellar  to  this  man ;  but  that 


PASCAL   AND   THE    SPY  189 

as  you  please.  Now,  how  to  find  Mademoiselle  de  Malin- 
court  ?  " 

"  She  is  still  at  the  Governor's  Castle.  You  can  seek 
her  there." 

"  Nay,  by  your  leave,  that  can  I  do  only  in  the  last 
extreme.  Suspicion  is  all  over  the  place,  and  if  they  were 
to  clap  me  by  Dubois'  side  there  would  be  more  to  pay 
than  we  can  just  now  afford." 

"Dubois?    Who  is  he?" 

"  Another  of  this  Governor's  prisoners,  and  while  he's 
in  I  must  keep  out.    Will  you  go  to  miladi  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  will.    What  shall  I  tell  her?  " 

"  That  the  liberty  and  perhaps  the  lives  of  the  prison- 
ers depends  upon  her  seeing-  me  instantly." 

"  Who  shall  I  say  you  are  ?  " 

"  Say  what  you  like — that  I  am  close  in  my  master's 
confidence  and  have  a  plan  for  liberating  him,  if  she  will 
but  come  to  me  quickly." 

It  was  this  conversation  which  sent  Lucette  hurrying 
in  hot  haste  to  seek  Gabrielle  at  the  Castle,  while  Pascal 
employed  the  time  of  her  absence  in  examining  Malin- 
court  with  an  eye  to  putting  it  in  the  best  condition  of 
defence. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

GABRIELLE   PLEADS 

GABRIELLE  heard  Lucette's  story  with  intense 
interest,  and  saw  that  with  help  from  Pascal 
outside  it  might  be  possible  to  get  Gerard  away 
from  Morvaix  without  concealing  him  first  in  the 
Duchess's  apartments ;  and  she  resolved  to  go  immedi- 
ately to  Malincourt  to  consult  with  Pascal. 

But  she  found  the  Duchess  opposed  to  this. 

"  If  you  go  and  then  return  to  me,  Gabrielle,  it  may 
provoke  notice  and  start  suspicion." 

"  But  I  must  see  Pascal,"  she  urged. 

"  Then  safer  to  see  him  here.  Let  him  come  as  if  to 
me.  I  have  frequent  messengers  from  friends ;  and  his 
coming  will  cause  no  talk.  He  can  come  as  with  a  mes- 
sage, say,  from  the  Count  and  Countess  d'Auvaine,  and 
no  questions  will  be  asked." 

"  He  is  known  to  some  in  the  Castle.  M.  de  Proballe, 
for  instance,  and  others ;  and  recognition  would  be  ruin." 

"  It  would  be  worse,  child,  if  a  watch  were  set  on 
yourself  and  so  the  way  to  the  prison  quarters  blocked. 
If  this  gentleman  is  loath  to  risk  coming  here,  let  it  be 
known  that  you  are  staying  with  me  for  a  few  days — 
as  you  have  done  before — and  let  Lucette  carry  your 
messages.  There  is  reason  for  her  passing  to  and  fro, 
as  you  will  need  many  things  for  5'our  stay  here." 

"  You  are  right ;  I  will  go  and  tell  Lucette." 

She  was  about  to  leave  when  Pauline  returned. 

She  had  seen  her  father,  she  said,  and  he  had  readily 
agreed  to  do  anything  that  was  asked  of  him.     He  ad- 

190 


GABRIELLE    PLEADS 


IQI 


vised  that  the  best  hour  for  making  any  attempt  would 
be  about  ten  o'clock  at  night;  as  the  guard  would  be 
changed  at  eleven,  and  they  were  always  less  vigilant  in 
their  last  hour  of  their  watch, 

"  My  father  says  there  will  be  a  great  risk,  miladi," 
said  Pauline ;  "  and  urges  the  utmost  caution.  He  de- 
clares it  will  be  far  safer  for  all  concerned  if  the  prisoner 
makes  his  escape  by  the  window  and  avoids  the  hazard 
of  encountering  any  of  the  soldiers  or  servants  in  at- 
tempting to  leave  by  any  other  way." 

"  It  could  be  done,"  said  Gabrielle,  readily,  "  now  that 
this  Pascal  can  help  from  outside.  I  will  send  him  word 
by  Lucette  of  the  time,  and  tell  him  to  find  means  of 
getting  to  the  courtyard." 

She  hurried  to  Lucette  and  told  her  the  plan  and  the 
reasons  why  it  was  not  deemed  prudent  for  her  to  leave 
the  Duchess,  and  they  were  discussing  this  when  the 
Governor  entered. 

"  You  will  know  what  I  shall  need  for  a  few  days, 
Lucette,"  said  Gabrielle,  with  a  swift  warning  glance; 
"  and  if  I  have  forgotten  anything  in  my  haste,  you  can 
bring  it  or  even  return  for  it.    How  is  Denys  ?  " 

"  Much  improved,  but  very  weak,  of  course,  and  fret- 
ting at  his  weakness." 

"  I  wish  to  speak  with  you,  mademoiselle,"  interposed 
the  Governor, 

"  I  am  remaining  some  days  with  the  Duchess,  mon- 
sieur, and  am  sending  instructions  in  regard  to  matters 
at  Malincourt." 

"  That  is  good  news ;  it  is  as  I  would  have  it." 

"  One  thing  more,  Lucette,  and  the  most  important 
of  all — M.  de  Proballe  is  not  to  be  allowed  to  enter  the 
maison  until  my  return," 

"  That  is  a  harsh  injunction,  mademoiselle," 

"  I  am  the  mistress  of  Malincourt,  my  lord,  and  am 
firmly  resolved  on  the  point." 


192        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  I  shall  hope  to  change  that  resolve  amongst  others," 
he  replied,  as  Lucette  went  away.  "  It  is  for  that  I  wish 
to  speak  with  you." 

Gabrielle  made  no  reply  for  the  moment.  The  storm 
of  her  indignation  against  the  Duke  had  passed,  as  he 
noticed  with  satisfaction;  but  he  could  not  read  her 
present  mood ;  and  mistook  a  deliberate  intention  to  out- 
wit him  for  a  readiness  to  listen  with  some  complacency 
to  the  alternatives  he  had  come  to  propose.  The  hope  of 
setting  Gerard  free  spurred  her  woman's  wit  to  the 
utmost.  She  was,  indeed,  ready  enough  to  listen  to  him, 
schooling  her  temper  and  keeping  it  under  control,  so 
as  to  learn  his  plans.  She  was  fighting  the  cause  of  the 
man  she  loved  against  the  man  she  hated  with  hate  im- 
placable; and  she  would  fight  warily  and  coolly,  with 
every  weapon  in  her  armoury,  and  with  a  full  knowledge 
of  all  the  danger  that  might  follow  a  false  step. 

"  I  have  spoken  with  your  uncle." 

"  He  is  no  longer  kin  of  mine,  my  lord,"  she  interposed, 
coldly.    "  He  has  wronged  me  beyond  endurance." 

"  Well,  with  M.  de  Proballe  then,  and  have  convinced 
myself  that  he  has  had  no  motive  save  that  of  serving 
your  best  interests." 

"  As  head  of  my  house,  monsieur,  it  is  for  me  to  say 
whom  I  count  upon  my  side  and  whom  I  deem  against 
me.  Never  again  will  I  speak  to  or  see  M.  de  Proballe. 
I  hold  him  for  my  worst  enemy." 

"  And  what  of  me  ?  "  he  asked  quickly. 

"  You  have  done  a  bitter  injustice  and  a  cruel  wrong 
to  an  innocent  and  gallant  gentleman — but  it  is  in  your 
power  to  repair  it.  Will  you  speak  the  word  that  will 
undo  it  ?  " 

"  Innocent  ?  "  he  carped.  "  Was  it  innocent  to  steal 
among  us  in  a  false  name  and  character.  Was  it  gallant 
to  act  such  a  lie  ?  " 

"  He  was  forced  into  it." 


GABRIELLE    PLEADS  193 

"  How  forced  and  by  whom  ?  " 

"  Need  we  pretend  that  we  do  not  know  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know,"  he  repHed  bluntly.  "  Who  is  he,  if 
lie  be  not  indeed  this  de  Cobalt  ?  I  have  clear  proof  that 
he  was  spying  in  the  Castle  here.  If  he  be  not  de  Cobalt, 
then  is  he  a  spy.  Am  I  to  suffer  my  Castle  to  be  overrun 
by  spies  ?  " 

"  He  is  no  spy ;  of  that  I  am  assured." 

"  Then  if  an  honest  man,  why  this  mystery  ?  " 

Gabrielle  knew  the  reason,  recalling  with  a  little  thrill 
of  delight  how  he  had  said  it  was  for  her  sake;  but  she 
answered — 

"  Is  evet'y  honest  man  who  comes  to  Morvaix  to  be 
treated  as  a  spy  and  thrown  like  a  dog  into  a  prison  cell  ?  " 

"If  you  were  Governor  here  you  would  see  this  as 
I  do ;  but  I  am  indeed  almost  persuaded  that  he  is  still 
only  deceiving  us." 

"  I  do  not  understand." 

"  I  believe  he  is  in  truth  what  he  avowed  himself  at 
the  first — ^Gerard  de  Cobalt." 

"  But  you  yourself  and  M.  de  Proballe  held  it  dis- 
proved." 

"  The  letter  may  have  been  but  a  trick,  like  other 
things.  He  had  deceived  us  as  to  the  flagrancy  of  that 
act  of  his  at  Cambrai ;  and  knowing  it  to  be  too  vile  to 
be  pardoned,  had  this  further  lie  enacted,  meaning  to  pass 
for  some  one  else  and  so  save  his  head.  But  he  will  not 
save  it." 

"  You  mean  he  will  be  tried  for  the  crime  ?  " 

"  I  mean  he'll  lose  his  head  for  it,"  was  the  blunt 
answer. 

"  You  will  not  do  this  foul  injustice,"  said  Gabrielle, 
with  a  touch  of  indignation. 

"  Who  murders,  dies,  mademoiselle ;  that  at  least  is 
law  all  over  France  ;  and  Morvaix  is  no  city  of  shelter." 

"  He  must  not  die ;  you  cannot  be  so  cruel."    Half  pro- 


194        A   COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

test,  half  entreaty  was  in  her  tone ;  and  the  Governor 
paused  and  bent  his  eyes  upon  her  before  he  rephed. 

"  For  your  sake  more  than  any  other's,  it  is  best  that 
he  should." 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,"  cried  Gabrielle,  with  a 
catch  of  the  breath  as  in  fear. 

"  He  has  impressed  you  so  deeply  that,  were  his  life 
spared  and  his  liberty  given  to  him,  you  would  never  be 
safe  from  him.  He  is  a  murderer,  a  man  of  the  vilest 
life,  who  would  never  cease  to  persecute  you,  after  what 
has  passed." 

There  was  an  even  deeper  depth  of  vileness  in  this 
man  than  she  had  deemed,  was  Gabrielle's  thought ;  and 
for  a  moment  it  cost  her  a  supreme  effort  to  remain 
calm.  But  the  thought  of  Gerard's  peril  came  to  lier 
aid. 

"  Do  you  mean  you  would  kill  him  out  of  consideration 
for  me?"  she  asked,  as  if  incredulous. 

''  I  would  do  anything  for  you — either  kill  or  pardon, 
but  you  will  not  let  me,"  he  answered,  with  the  first 
touch  of  passion. 

He  had  led  round  to  his  object  cunningly;  but  not  so 
cunningly  that  she  did  not  understand  him. 

"  Yet  I  may  ask  you,"  she  replied.  "  Prove  to  me  his 
unworthiness  first ;  and  then "  she  stopped. 

"  What  then  ?  " 

"  You  cannot  prove  it,  monsieur,"  she  cried,  as  though 
she  had  first  wavered  in  her  faith  and  then  rallied  it. 
And  so  he  read  her  words.  "  He  is  what  I  have  said,  an 
innocent  and  gallant  gentleman." 

"  If  he  be  Gerard  de  Cobalt  he  is  a  murderer  of  the 
vilest  and  most  treacherous  type.  I  have  the  fullest 
proofs." 

"  But  if  he  be  not  M.  de  Cobalt?" 

"  Then  he  has  shown  himself  a  spy ;  and  spies  when 
they  are  caught  must  take  their  chances.  But  he  is  more 
than  a  spy." 


GABRIELLE    PLEADS  195 

"How?" 

"  He  has  deceived  you  with  specious  lies,  has  won 
upon  you  until  the  scene  below  to-day  showed  your  feel- 
ings. You  are  the  head  of  a. noble  house,  mademoiselle, 
whose  influence  here  in  Morvaix  is  too  great  to  be  at  the 
mercy  of  either  a  treacherous  scoundrel  or  a  hireling  spy. 
And  while  you  remain  unmarried  and  at  his  mercy,  be- 
cause of  your  gentle  trustful  heart  and  of  the  feeling 
he  has  stirred  within  you,  such  a  man  cannot  be  at 
large.  The  interests  of  all  in  Morvaix  render  it  im- 
possible." 

"  Again  you  make  the  strange  suggestion  that  this  is 
done  for  my  sake,"  said  Gabrielle. 

"  And  it  is  true,  Gabrielle.  Were  it  not  for  you,  the 
prisoner  might  go  free  this  moment."  Ever\'  word 
spoken  was  now  chosen  to  bring  him  nearer  to  his 
object. 

"  But  if  he  be  the  unworthy  man  you  say,  do  you  hold 
me  for  a  thing  too  feeble  and  weak  to  withstand  his  evil 
influence  ?  " 

'"  Worthy  or  base,  it  is  as  I  say.  His  freedom  rests 
on  you." 

"  In  plainer  words  ?  " 

"  Consent  to  do  as  I  have  asked  you,  and  the  man's 
fate  is  for  you  to  determine.  As  my  wife,  Gabrielle, 
your  lightest  wish  would  be  my  law." 

"And  if  I  still  refuse?" 

His  answer  was  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders  and  a  lift- 
ing of  the  hands.  He  looked  for  another  storm  to  burst ; 
and  was  surprised  when  Gabrielle  remained  quiet,  cold 
and  thoughtful.  He  read  the  sign  to  be  favourable  to 
him.  Hitherto  she  would  not  even  listen.  He  felt  the 
strength  of  the  weapon  he  wielded,  and  was  glad. 

She  paused  as  if  in  deep  distress  and  fear,  and  sighed 
AS  she  asked — 

"  Do  you  think  such  a  union  as  you  suggest  could 


196  •      A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

bring  happiness  to  either  of  us,  or  having  such  a  begin- 
ning could  end  in  aught  but  ruin  to  all  ?  " 

"  I  love  you,  Gabrielle ;  that  will  suffice  for  all,"  he 
declared  passionately. 

"  Spare  me  that,  I  beg  of  you,"  she  cried  quickly  and 
very  earnestly.  "  When  you  spoke  of  this  to  me  before, 
I  answered  you  out  of  my  indignation.  I  am  cooler 
now;  but  can  you  not  think  how  such  a  declaration  sounds 
to  me?  It  is  not  one  jot  less  terrible  because  I  school 
myself  to  listen  without  temper.  Can  you  not  feel  what 
treachery  it  is  to  my  dearest  friend,  your  wife — surely 
the  purest  wife  ever  given  to  a  man  ?  " 

"  She  is  willing  for  our  marriage  to  be  dissolved." 

"  Does  that  make  my  treachery  to  her  less  ignoble  ? 
If  the  thing  stood  on  any  other  ground  than  where  you 
put  it  by  these  words,  it  would  still  be  wrong — a  cruel, 
cowardly  wrong  to  her ;  but  to  plead  for  it  no  more  than 
mere  passion,  is  to  clothe  it  with  its  vilest  dress." 

"  There  are  other  reasons — many,"  he  said  sullenly. 
"  You  wish  to  wield  influence  in  the  rule  of  the  people ; 
I  give  you  a  chance.  'Twas  but  yesterday  I  put  the 
matter  so  to  you." 

"  The  baseness  of  the  act  is  not  lessened  by  wrapping 
it  about  with  specious  pleas.  And  I  will  be  frank  with 
you;  for  frankness  in  such  a  crisis  is  best.  I  could 
never  feel  to  you  as  a  wife  should  feel  toward  her  hus- 
band. The  shame  of  this  wrong  to  my  friend  would 
ever  be  a  canker  to  blight  all  other  thoughts,  and  make 
my  life — our  lives — one  lengthened  monotone  of  remorse 
and  pain." 

"  I  would  leave  that  issue  to  time  and  my  love.  You 
did  not  think  thus  until  within  the  last  few  hours." 
i  "  I  will  deal  with  you  frankly,  as  I  said.  I  under- 
stand you ;  and  in  some  part  you  are  right.  I  love  this 
man  who  is  in  your  power.  I  believe  him  good  and 
true  and  noble;  I  am  not  ashamed  of  my  love.     Love 


GABRIELLE    PLEADS  197 

comes  to  every  woman  at  some  time  in  her  life,  and  she 
is  powerless  to  resist  it.  That  is  our  nature.  This  has 
come  to  me.  Could  I  then  wed  another  man  while  yet 
the  love  for  him  burns  like  a  fever,  filling  my  heart  with 
thoughts  of  him,  gladdening  it  with  hopes  for  him ;  and 
forming  already  more,  far  more,  than  half  my  life  ?  " 

"  You  are  frank,  as  you  say ;  but  such  frankness  is 
ill  hearing." 

"  If  it  be  ill  to  hear  me  speak  of  it — and  I  am  calm 
enough  to  speak  without  temper  and  say  this  not  to 
anger  but  to  prevail  with  you — if  it  be  ill  for  you  to 
hear  me  speak  of  it,  what  would  it  be  in  the  after  time 
to  live  ever  with  the  knowledge  of  it?  Think  you  that 
happiness  lies  that  way?  You  with  the  knowledge  that 
my  heart  is  given  to  another  man ;  I  with  the  bitterness 
of  remorse  for  the  wrong  you  would  have  me  do,  relieved 
only  by  the  ever  aching  sorrow  of  a  broken  heart  ?  " 

"  I  wish  to  hear  no  more." 

"  Nay,  but  you  must  hear  me.  Only  a  coward  would 
shut  his  ears  to  the  truth ;  and  you  at  least  are  no  coward. 
You  have  not  thought  what  kind  of  thing  this  really  is 
that  you  would  do.  Were  I  to  wed  you  as  you  now  wish, 
we  should  grow  to  hate  one  another.  Your  passion  would 
cool  and  you  would  come  to  feel  the  bitterness  of  the 
mistake,  the  galling  yoke  of  the  load  on  your  life  and 
would  look  on  me  as  the  cause." 

"  You  little  know  me,  Gabrielle." 

"  Then  at  least  I  know  myself.  I  am  but  a  girl  and 
ver)'-  human ;  and  in  the  long  dark  hours  of  my  misery 
and  unavailing  remorse,  my  spirit,  unbroken — for  we 
Malincourts  are  not  easily  broken — would  revolt  against 
you  as  the  cause.  Would  yours  be  happier?  Have  you 
thought  what  life  would  be  to  be  mated  with  a  woman 
who  hated  you,  as  we  Malincourts  can  hate?" 

"  I  love  you.    I  think  of  naught  else,"  he  said  doggedly. 

■"  Love !    Love !    What  sort  of  love  is  that  which  would 


198        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

blight  and  destroy  the  object  that  has  kindled  it?  What 
is  it  in  me  you  think  you  love?  My  face?  My  form? 
Would  these  retain  their  comeliness  in  your  eyes  when 
you  knew  that  beneath  them  burnt  the  fire  of  hate? 
When  I  could  never  suffer  you,  without  a  shudder,  even 
to  look  into  my  eyes  ?  When  at  your  approach  you  found 
me  shrink;  when  your  lightest  touch  would  seem  to  be 
repugnant?  Oh,  put  this  cowardice  away  from  you,  and 
understand  the  truth  as  it  is.  If  there  be  this  feeling 
for  me  that  you  deem,  have  courage  to  see  that  it  is 
wrong  and  evil.  If  it  were  love  it  would  be  selfless,  and 
you  would  seek  my  happiness,  not  your  own  mere  desires. 
The  flame  will  burn  out  and  die  down ;  and  if  you  will 
but  act  as  a  man  should  act,  you  will  grow  to  hate  the 
thing  you  now  desire,  and  thank  me  for  having  kept 
you  true  to  a  man's  better  part." 

"  Do  you  mean  you  would  have  me  see  you  marry 
this  man?  I  would  see  you  dead  sooner.  And  he  shall 
die,"  he  cried  fiercely.  "  My  mind  is  made  up.  If  you 
will  not  save  him,  his  blood  will  be  on  your  head." 

Gabrielle  had  not  hoped  to  move  him,  and  his  decision 
stirred  no  surprise.  She  had  pleaded  urgently  and 
sweetly;  but  with  another  thought  than  that  of  prevail- 
ing with  him.  She  had  to  disarm  his  suspicion  so  that 
time  might  be  gained,  and  now  began  to  let  her  alarm 
make  itself  evident. 

"  He  must  not  die ;  he  must  not,"  she  said,  after  a 
pause. 

"  You  can  save  him  by  a  word." 

"  I  must  have  time.  I  have  told  you  I  love  him ;  and 
I  swear  to  you  that  if  he  were  to  die  now  I  could  not — 
nay,  I  would  not  survive  him.  I  would  take  my  own 
life.  My  God !  I  could  not  bear  it  yet,"  she  cried,  wildly 
and  vehemently. 

He  had  not  looked  for  this ;  and  the  thought,  impressed 
as  it  was  by  the  conviction  that  she  was  in  deadly  earnest, 


GABRIELLE  PLEADS  199 

alarmed  him  and  kept  him  silent.  Before  he  could  find 
any  words  to  reply,  she  continued  with  equal  vehemence. 

"  Yes,  yes,  it  shall  be  so.  You  are  right,  you  are  right. 
His  blood  will  be  on  my  head.  I  shall  be  his  murderess. 
His  murderess !  "  She  changed  her  almost  hysterical 
passion  to  a  low  tone  of  intense  earnestness  as  she 
repeated  the  words.  "  His  murderess !  Then  it  is  right 
that  I  should  die.  Who  kills,  dies.  It  is  the  law  of  the 
universe.  And  how  I  should  welcome  death !  Do  this 
thing.  Kill  him ;  kill  him.  Do  not  stay  to  give  me  time 
to  learn  that  he  is  unworthy ;  and  let  me  die,  loving  him, 
trusting  him,  and  believing  him  to  be  the  noblest  and 
best  man  in  all  fair  France.  Then  indeed  can  I  die  happy 
and  be  happy  to  die." 

The  outburst  prompted  just  the  thought  she  designed. 

"  If  I  prove  him  first  to  be  the  scoundrel  that  he  is?  " 

"  You  cannot.  That  you  cannot  do.  Oh,  I  can  bear 
no  more,"  she  cried  in  a  voice  vibrating  with  pain  and 
distress.  "  He  is  in  your  power  to  do  with  as  you  please. 
Do  what  you  will  and  so  let  me  free.  If  he  be  the  man 
I  believe,  he  will  welcome  death  before  my  dishonour; 
and  if  he  be  not,  at  least  you  can  spare  me  the  pain  of 
knowing  it.  You  will  not  be  merciful  in  one  way,  then, 
for  the  sake  of  God,  be  merciless  in  all.  The  sooner 
the  end,  the  more  welcome  death  in  such  a  case." 

"  I  must  think  of  this,"  he  said  sullenly. 

"  What  would  you  do  ?  "  Eyes  and  face  and  manner 
all  full  of  fear. 

"  You  shall  know  this  man  for  the  scoundrel  he  is. 
You  must  not  cast  your  life  away  for  a  worthless  villain. 
I  will  have  the  truth  made  plain  to  you." 

"  Ah,  now  I  see  how  you  hate  him,"  she  cried  dis- 
tractedly. "  You  would  blacken  his  name  even  in  my 
memory.    How  hard  and  harsh  a  man  you  are !  " 

"  It  is  right  you  should  know  the  truth." 

"  I  do  not  seek  to  know  it.     Spare  me.    I  cannot  bear 


aoo        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

the  suspense.  My  very  courage  to  die  may  be  killed  by 
delay ;  already  I  can  feel  it  waning".  A  week  of  suspense 
and  I  should  be  coward  enough  even  to  wish  to  live." 

"You  shall  know  the  truth.  I  will  find  it  out;  and 
when  his  rank  unworthiness  is  proved  to  you,  you  will 
see  the  folly  and  madness  of  this  last  wild  resolve.  You 
will  live  to  thank  me  yet,  Gabrielle." 

"  Oh,  why  did  I  speak  it,  fool  and  coward  that  I  am !  " 
she  cried,  despairingly. 

"  It  is  well  you  did,"  he  answered ;  and  with  this  he 
left  her. 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

IN  THE  "  tiger's  DEN  '* 

WHILE  all  these  plans  were  being  hurried  for- 
ward for  his  release,  Gerard  took  his  impris- 
onment very  philosophically.  There  was  but 
one  circumstance  which  caused  him  uneasiness — the 
doubt  whether  Dubois  could  have  had  time  before  he  was 
placed  under  arrest  to  pass  on  the  instructions  he  had 
given  him. 

But  he  had  no  serious  fear.  If  X)ubois  had  been  able 
to  set  things  in  motion  there  would  soon  be  some  effort 
on  foot  to  secure  his  liberty;  while  if  not,  the  worst 
could  only  be  that  he  himself  would  be  driven  to  announce 
his  real  rank  to  the  Governor. 

He  was  indeed  more  than  half  disposed  to  regret  hav- 
ing maintained  silence  at  the  moment  of  arrest.  He  had 
measured  the  lengths  to  which  the  Governor  was  pre- 
pared to  go;  and  the  brutal  command  to  cut  him  down 
if  he  resisted  was  one  not  to  be  forgotten.  That  and 
the  indignity  to  which  he,  Bourbon's  son,  had  been  sub- 
jected by  this  tyrant  should  be  paid  for  heavily. 

He  had  a  recompense,  however.  Gabrielle  had  an- 
swered nobly  to  the  test  he  had  made.  She  loved  him. 
He  was  sure  of  her  now ;  and  with  that  as  a  consolation 
to  sustain  him,  the  hours  of  his  retirement  passed  lightly. 

When  his  gaolers  entered  and  led  him  from  the  cell 
in  which  he  had  first  been  placed  to  one  in  which  stood 
the  instruments  of  torture,  he  regretted  no  longer  that 
he  had  not  avowed  his  identity. 

Rumours  of  the  Governor's  savage  treatment  of  his 

30I 


HOI        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

prisoners  had  reached  him,  garnished  with  many  a  horri- 
ble story  of  torture  and  violence.  He  had  now  the 
evidence  of  this  before  his  own  eyes ;  perhaps  to  be 
threatened  even  against  himself ;  and  these  things  he 
might  never  have  been  able  to  prove  had  he  declared  him- 
self earlier. 

That  they  were  there  to  intimidate  him  he  was  soon 
to  know,  for  a  warder  entered  and  began  to  make  them 
ready  for  use. 

Gerard  watched  him  curiously  from  the  spot  where 
iie  sat  bound,  and  at  length  broke  silence. 

"  You  ply  a  strange  trade,  my  friend,"  he  said. 

"  Prisoners  must  be  silent,"  answered  the  man.  It  was 
Pauline's  father,  Pierre,  who  had  received  orders  from 
de  Proballe  in  the  Duke's  name  to  have  the  ghastly  instru- 
ments in  readiness,  and  to  do  the  work  before  the  pris- 
oner's eyes. 

"  Silence,  too,  eh  ?  Is  this  another  of  your  Governor's 
pleasant  methods  of  hospitality  ?  " 

"  I  tell  you  to  be  silent,"  replied  Pierre  gruffly.  He 
had  been  both  troubled  and  alarmed  at  the  command 
which  his  daughter  had  brought  from  the  Duchess.  Fully 
prepared  to  do  her  bidding,  he  was  nevertheless  anxious 
so  to  do  it  as  to  prevent  suspicion  falling  on  himself.  To 
him  the  event  might  mean  life  or  death ;  and  however 
strong  the  Duchess's  intentions  might  be  to  shield  him  in 
the  event  of  discovery,  she  might  lack  the  power,  should 
the  Governor  get  proof  of  his  treachery. 

"  So  you  are  the  Governor's  torturer,"  said  Gerard 
next.     "  I  don't  envy  you  your  trade." 

"  A  man  must  live,"  returned  Pierre. 

"  A  pretext  for  villainy  and  cruelty  as  long  as  the 
world  has  been  a  world,  I  suppose.  Yet  were  I  a  lusty 
fellow  like  you,  I'd  find  some  honester  use  for  my  mus- 
cles than  to  maim  my  fellow-men  and  drag  their  joints 
asunder,  Master  Torturer." 


IN   THE    "TIGER'S    DEN"         203 

"  I  am  no  torturer,"  said  Pierre.    "  I  am  the  warder." 

"  Warder  only,  eh  ?  You  get  the  torture  ready  and 
stand  aside  for  some  one  with  a  tougher  stomach  to  do 
the  mangHng.  Yet  by  the  look  of  your  face,  I  think  I'm 
wronging  you.  Those  eyes  of  yours  have  a  light  in  them 
that  speaks  of  a  better  nature  than  your  words  imply." 

"  I  have  to  obey  my  orders.  You  are  a  soldier  they 
say,  and  should  know  that.    Why  are  you  placed  here  ?  " 

"  That's  a  question  I  could  better  put  to  you.  To 
watch  you  set  those  instruments  running  smoothly  for 
my  poor  bones,  maybe." 

"  'Tis  a  sight  many  a  brave  man  has  quailed  at  seeing. 
But  I  mean,  what  is  your  crime;  what  have  you  done?  " 

"  As  much  as  many  of  the  Governor's  prisoners  prob- 
ably; that  is,  nothing." 

"  Then  these  are  to  find  the  offence." 

Gerard  laughed  lightly. 

"  You've  a  pleasant  wit,  warder.    What's  your  name  ?  '* 

"  Pierre  Delmont." 

"  And  so  you  think,  Pierre,  that  I  am  to  be  put  in  the 
embrace  of  some  one  of  those  pretty  toys  of  yours  in 
order  to  induce  me  to  confess  to  something  I  haven't 
done?  And  I  suppose  you  speak  after  some  expe- 
rience." 

"  I  have  counselled  many  a  man  to  confess  to  some 
light  crime  rather  than  face  these ;  and  more  than  one 
has  scoffed  at  my  words  to  his  after  sorrow." 

"  Then  you  are  here  to  frighten  me  with  thoughts  of 
the  torture." 

"  You  are  a  brave  man,  I  am  told ;  yet  many  a  man 
brave  enough  on  the  field  of  battle  has  made  his  first 
acquaintance  with  fear  in  this  cell.  God  forgive  the 
cruelty  of  it !  " 

"  I  am  in  no  danger,  Pierre." 

"  Yet  not  for  any  reasons  you  know  of." 

"  Surely  that  sentence  has  a  double  sound.'* 


204        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

Pierre  left  his  work,  crossed  toward  Gerard,  and 
answered  in  a  low  tone. 

"  It  means  what  I  did  not  purpose  to  tell  you  yet — 
that  I  am  your  friend  at  the  bidding  of  others.  We 
shall  set  you  free,  you  and  the  other  prisoner,  the  monk. 
My  work  here  I  must  do;  otherwise  I  might  be  sus- 
pected ;  and  I  meant  to  hold  my  tongue  until  it  profited 
to  speak." 

''  Who  are  those  others  ?  " 

"  Some  one  is  coming.  Silence,"  said  Pierre  hastily,  as 
he  withdrew  to  the  other  end  of  the  cell  and  busied  him- 
self again  with  his  gruesome  task. 

Presently  a  knock  sounded  on  the  door,  and  Pierre 
let  drop  the  irons  he  held  with  a  clanking  sound.  The 
knock  was  repeated ;  and  he  opened  the  door. 

The  Governor  and  de  Proballe  entered. 

"  Why  did  you  keep  me  waiting  ?  "  demanded  the  for- 
mer angrily. 

"  I  was  working  yonder,  my  lord,  and  did  not  hear 
you." 

"  I  heard  the  clanking  of  irons,"  said  de  Proballe. 
*'  I  ordered  him  to  have  all  in  readiness." 

■  Pierre  went  back  to  his  v/ork,  and  the  two  stood  look- 
ing down  at  Gerard. 

"  You  can  see  now  what  comes  of  defying  the  Gov- 
ernor and  playing  me  false,  M.  Gerard  de  Cobalt,"  said 
de  Proballe,  with  an  evil  smile.  "  And  this  is  only  the 
beginning;  unless  you  are  in  another  mood." 

*'  It  is  worthy  of  the  Baron  de  Proballe  to  gloat  over 
a  helpless  man,"  answered  Gerard  contemptuously. 

"  Exactly,  helpless  is  just  the  right  word,  prisoner." 

"  The  Duke  of  Rochelle  has  surely  some  other  motive 
in  coming  here  than  to  allow  this  carrion  to  insult  me," 
said  Gerard,  turning  to  the  Governor. 

The  Governor  smiled  at  de  Proballe's  start  of  anger. 

"  I  have  come  to  you  with  a  merciful  object." 


IN    THE    "TIGER'S    DEN"         -05 

"  I  seek  no  mercy  at  your  hands,  monsieur.  If  you 
have  come  to  do  tardy  justice  it  will  suffice  for  me,  for 
you  will  order  the  gaoler  there  to  unbind  my  hands  and 
set  me  free." 

*'  Not  so  fast,  prisoner,  not  so  fast,"  cried  de  Proballe. 

"  I  addressed  you,  monsieur,"  said  Gerard  to  the 
Governor. 

"  What  would  it  be  but  mercy  that  should  impel  me  to 
pardon  the  murderer,  Gerard  de  Cobalt  ?  " 

"  I  am  no  murderer,  neither  am  I  M.  de  Cobalt." 

"  Admit  that  you  are  he  and  no  harm  shall  come  to 
you.  I  will  keep  my  word  and  pardon  you  for  the  affair 
at  Cambrai." 

Gerard  paused.  The  turn  in  things  surprised  him  ;  and 
he  could  not  see  the  motive  of  it.  The  Governor  mistook 
his  silence  for  hesitation. 

"  Write  the  admission  that  you  are  Gerard  de  Cobalt 
and  guilty  of  that  crime,  and  on  my  oath  you  shall  go 
from  Morvaix  a  free  man." 

"Why?" 

"  It  is  not  for  you  to  question.  But  I  gave  my  word 
before  you  came  and  I  will  keep  it  even  now." 

"  Why  should  I  confess  to  a  crime  I  never  committed 
and  blacken — ah,  I  think  I  see.  You  would  show  the 
confession  to  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt.  Is  that  the 
motive  for  this  unexpected  mercy,  as  you  term  it?  I 
might  have  guessed  it." 

"  Your  answer?  " 

"  I  would  sooner  cut  my  hand  off  than  write  the  lie." 

"  It  is  well  that  I  told  Pierre  to  be  prepared,"  said 
de  Proballe.  "  We  know  that  you  are  Gerard  de  Cobalt, 
and  that  you  devised  the  scheme  of  that  letter  to  make 
us  doubt  you  when  you  saw  the  danger  in  which  you 
stood.  But  we  have  means  at  hand  that  will  make  you 
speak." 

"  Who,  then,  do  you  say  you  are  ?  "  asked  the  Governor. 


^o6        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  For  what  crime  am  I  made  a  prisoner  and  threatened 
with  the  torture  ?  " 

"  Prisoners  are  to  answer,  not  question." 

"  Is  it  your  custom  here  in  Morvaix  to  imprison  men 
■first  and  ascertain  their  crimes  afterwards?  And  to  use 
the  rack  and  the  boot  to  drive  them  to  make  a  false  con- 
fession? This  is  not  the  law  of  France,  my  lord  Duke, 
and  you  will  beware  how  you  threaten  me  with  such 
iniquity." 

"  Will  you  speak  and  say  who  you  are?  " 

"  I  bear  a  name,  my  lord,  which,  were  I  to  mention 
it,  would  make  even  you  pause  in  the  contemplation  of 
this  outrage.  It  is  enough  that  I  say  I  am  a  soldier  and 
a  man  of  honour  and  standing,  with  full  right  to  be  in 
your  city.  If  I  withhold  my  name  now,  it  is  only  that 
I  may  see  how  far  report  has  belied  the  evil  reputation 
of  your  rule,  and  to  what  lengths  you  will  go  in  wronging 
an  innocent  man." 

"  Brave  words,  brave  words,"  sneered  de  Proballe. 

"  As  for  you,  monsieur,"  said  Gerard,  turning  upon 
him.  "  Your  notorious  life  in  Paris  prepared  me  to 
find  you  playing  the  part  I  see  you  filling  in  Morvaix. 
Having  wormed  your  way  with  lies  into  your  niece's  con- 
fidence, you  were  ready  to  betray  her  in  the  vile  scheme 
3'our  own  lips  confessed  to  me.  Coward,  bully,  cheat,  liar, 
and  scoundrel,  the  part  of  procurer  was  still  open  to  you 
in  baseness ;  and  you  filled  it  with  a  treachery  worthy 
even  of  you.    Have  no  fear :  you  shall  have  your  reward." 

"  'Fore  God,  this  is  too  much,"  cried  de  Proballe,  rush- 
ing forward  to  strike  Gerard  in  the  face.  But  the  Gov- 
ernor prevented  him ;  he  was  none  too  sorry  to  hear  de 
Proballe  abused. 

"  Stay,  monsieur,"  he  said  with  cold  contempt.  "  You 
take  the  truth  badly.  If  you  are  minded  to  strHce  that 
blow,  I  will  have  the  prisoner  set  free  for  your  benefit." 

"I  have  not  deserved  this  at  your  hands,  my  lord," 


IN   THE    "TIGER'S    DEN"         207 

said  de  Proballe;  but  the  Governor  let  the  protest  pass 
with  a  sneer. 

"  Your  name,  prisoner?  "  he  said,  sternly. 

"  You  shall  hear  it,  my  lord,  never  fear ;  and  hearing" 
it,  shall  understand  all  that  this  means  to  you." 

"  I  hold  you  for  the  man  you  have  already  declared 
yourself.  As  Gerard  de  Cobalt  you  came  here ;  you  your- 
self gave  that  name,  and  in  it  you  won  your  way  into 
Malincourt;  and  as  Gerard  de  Cobalt  I  will  treat  you. 
I  give  you  two  hours  to  decide  whether  you  will  admit 
this  to  be  the  truth,  or  compel  me  to  have  it  dragged 
from  you." 

"  Stay,  my  lord  Duke,"  cried  Gerard  sternly,  as  he 
was  turning  to  the  door ;  "  let  me  have  this  in  plainer 
terms.  If  I  do  not  admit  that  I  am  Gerard  de  Cobalt,  you 
propose  to  put  me  to  the  torture  to  drag  such  a  confession 
from  me  ?  " 

"  I  will  have  the  truth  one  wa}'^  or  the  other.  Use  the 
time  of  grace  well  and  be  thankful  that  I  concede  it ;  '* 
said  the  Governor  with  a  heavy  threatening  frown,  and 
motioned  to  Pierre  to  open  the  cell  door. 

"  As  there  is  a  God,  I  had  not  believed  that  any  man^ 
even  you,  could  be  capable  of  such  infamy,"  exclaimed 
Gerard,  as  the  two  went  out.  The  Governor  whispered 
a  word  or  two  of  instruction  to  Pierre  who  came  back 
and  resumed  his  work,  making  much  noise  over  it. 

Presently  he  crossed  to  Gerard,  holding  a  set  of  heavy 
irons  which  he  clanked  loudly. 

"  In  his  present  mood  he  is  a  fiend,  monsieur.  He 
ordered  me  to  seek  to  break  your  nerve  with  the  full  view 
of  these  things,  and  then  to  leave  you  in  solitude  that 
your  fears  should  gather." 

Gerard  smiled. 

"  Clank  them  as  much  as  you  will,  I  heed  them  not. 
My  nerves  are  tough  enough  to  withstand  a  greater  strain 
than  that" 


1208        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  He  would  keep  his  word,  monsieur.  In  this  mood 
he  is  iron." 

"  Are  you  in  truth  an  honest  man  ?  The  breed  seems 
rare  in  the  Castle." 

"  I  hope  so — as  men  go,  monsieur." 

"  And  you  heard  what  passed  ? — my  last  question  and 
his  reply." 

"  I  could  not  help  it." 

"  I  am  not  this  Gerard  de  Cobalt,  and  he  knows  it ; 
yet  you  heard  him  declare  that  if  I  would  not  confess 
to  this  lie  he  would  torture  me  until  I  did  confess.  If 
all  else  slips  from  your  memory,  at  least  remember  that; 
for  the  time  may  come  when  I  may  need  your  testimony. 
Now  do  what  you  will ;  I  am  tired  and  would  sleep ; " 
and  Gerard  lay  back  on  the  pallet. 

"  Not  there  where  you  lie,  monsieur,  safer  here ;  "  and 
to  Gerard's  surprise  Pierre  made  him  shift  his  position. 

Presently  Pierre  left  the  cell,  and  Gerard  fell  asleep, 
to  be  wakened  by  a  sound  at  the  door.  He  sat  up  think- 
ing the  two  hours  had  passed  and  that  the  Governor  had 
returned ;  then  started  with  an  exclamation  of  delight 
and  surprise,  as  he  saw  Gabrielle  enter,  dressed  in  a  loose 
black  cloak. 

"Gabrielle!     You!" 

"  I  have  come  to  set  you  free,"  she  said,  pausing  with 
blanched  cheeks  as  her  eyes  ran  round  the  cell.  "  What 
a  fearful  place." 

"  You  have  run  this  risk  for  me ! "  and  he  smiled. 

"  I  run  no  risk ;  but  if  risk  there  were,  you  must  be 
free." 

'*  Shall  I  go,  mademoiselle  ?  The  door  must  be 
locked,"  said  Pierre. 

"  Yes,  go,  good  Pierre.  Keep  watch  and  warn  us  of 
any  danger." 

"  There  is  a  full  half-hour  and  more,  mademoiselle. 
But  I  will  watch ; "  and  he  went  out  and  locked  the  door 
behind  him. 


IN   THE    "TIGER'S    DEN"         209 

"  How  you  trust  me,  Gabrielle,"  said  Gerard. 

"  We  must  not  speak  save  in  whispers ;  and  there  is 
much  to  do  and  to  tell  you."  As  she  spoke  she  slipped 
off  the  cloak  and  disclosed  a  somewhat  bulky  roll  fastened 
cunningly  about  her.  Then  she  took  a  knife  from  a 
sheath,  and  with  it  cut  the  bonds  which  bound  Gerard's 
arms  and  legs. 

He  tried  to  rise,  but  fell  back  helpless. 

**  You  are  ill !  "  she  cried  in  quick  alarm ;  and  glancing 
at  the  torture  implements,  which  showed  gaunt  and  grue- 
some in  the  slanting  rays  of  the  moonlight,  she  caught 
her  breath  and  added — "  They  have  not  dared " 

"  No,  no.  It  is  but  the  rush  of  blood  through  my 
numbed  veins.     It  will  pass  in  a  moment." 

She  sighed  in  relief  and  then  cut  loose  the  roll. 

*'  A  ladder  of  fine  silk  rope  that  will  reach  to  the 
courtyard  below,"  she  exclaimed,  as  she  laid  it  on  the 
pallet,  while  Gerard  was  chafing  his  arms  and  legs.  He 
glanced  at  the  window  bars.  "  They  can  be  moved," 
she  added,  catching  the  look ;  and  gave  him  rapidly  a 
description  of  the  place. 

"  Another  devil's  trick,  indeed,"  he  muttered,  with  a 
frown ;  and  watched  her  while  she  sought  for  the  spring 
to  release  the  bars.  Before  she  found  it  he  had  regained 
the  use  of  legs  and  arms,  and  went  to  her  help. 

"  I  have  it,"  she  said  at  length,  and  pressed  upon  it 
with  all  her  strength  while  he  tugged  at  the  bars.  Suc- 
cess soon  crowned  their  efforts,  and  then  a  place  was 
found  where  the  grappling  hooks  of  the  ladder  could  be 
fastened. 

*'  Now  the  way  is  clear,"  said  Gerard. 

"  Not  yet.  There  is  a  guard  below.  But  we  have  done 
our  part  so  far.  Your  friend,  whom  you  call  Pascal, 
will  be  here  soon — should  be  here  now  indeed,  to  surprise 
the  man  and  clear  the  path  for  you  below.  He  will  come 
in  by  the  breach  made  for  the  repair  of  the  walls,  and  he 


aio        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

has  friends  posted  there.  Look  if  you  can  see  anything 
of  him.  Cautiously,  or  the  moonhght  on  your  face  may 
betray  you." 

Gerard  peeped  from  the  casement. 

"  There  is  no  sign  of  Pascal.  There  is  a  guard  below ; 
he  is  leaning  on  his  musket  just  underneath  this  spot. 
Listen ! " 

Listening  almost  breathlessly,  the  sounds  from  below 
came  up.  They  heard  the  soldier  stamping  his  feet  as 
if  chilled  with  the  night  air ;  then  his  musket  was 
grounded;  and  a  moment  later  the  stillness  was  broken 
as  he  began  to  sing  in  a  sweet  tenor  voice  the  ballad 
which  Lucette  was  fond  of  carolling — 

"  There  was  a  maiden  in  Arcady 
Whose  lover  both  feal  and  true, 
Came  riding  forth  from  the  sullen  north 
Her  sweet  white  hand  to  woo." 

As  the  simple  words  were  borne  to  their  ears  they 
both  smiled. 

"  Apt  words,"  whispered  Gerard  gently,  as  he  cap- 
tured Gabrielle's  hand  and  carried  it  to  his  lips. 

"  How  shall  I  thank  you,  Gabrielle  ?  " 

"  You  are  not  yet  free,  monsieur,"  she  answered,  with- 
drawing her  hand. 

"  Monsieur  ?  "  he  whispered.  "  Was  it  not  you  who 
once  reproved  me  for  calling  you  mademoiselle  ?  " 

"  If  I  think  of  you  as  Gerard,  yet  do  I  not  know  how 
to  call  you  now." 

"  I  am  Gerard,  in  truth." 

"  Oh,  I  am  so  glad,"  and  she  sighed. 

"  And  sigh  for  gladness  ?  " 

"  Sigh  partly  for  gladness — that  is  a  woman's  way, 
Gerard ;  yet  not  all  for  gladness,  but  partly  in  fear  lest 
even  now  this  plan  of  ours  should  in  some  way  mis- 
carry. Your  Pascal  lingers,  and  yet  I  urged  him  so. 
Pray  look  again." 


IN   THE    "TIGER'S    DEN"         an 

"  He  will  come  surely.  Never  yet  has  he  failed  me. 
But  if  he  were  prevented,  it  would  be  no  grave  matter." 

"  No  gjave  matter  ?  "  she  repeated  anxiously. 

"  I  have  learnt  all  and  more  than  all  I  came  to  learn, 
and  there  is  no  longer  need  for  concealment.  Parlous 
as  my  plight  seems,  yet  I  am  not  in  such  peril  as  you 
deem,  Gabrielle." 

"  I  do  not  understand.    What  came  you  to  learn  ?  " 

"  You  do  not  ask  me  who  I  am." 

"  You  will  tell  me  in  your  own  time,  I  know." 

"  What  a  trusting  heart  is  yours,  Gabrielle !  What 
proof  you  have  given  me  of  your  love !  Yet  I  know  how 
I  must  have  tried  you.  Have  you  not  even  guessed  why 
I  came?  " 

"  I  have  tried,  but  failed  hopelessly,"  she  said  with  a 
smile.     "  For  me  it  is  enough  that  you  did  come." 

"  You  sent  certain  messages  to  the  Duke  of  Bourbon. 
Have  you  not  wondered  that  no  answer  came?  " 

*'  Are  you  from  great  Bourbon  ?  And  this  Pascal  ? 
And  the  monk  who  is  a  prisoner?  And  the  others  of 
,whom  Pascal  spoke?  You  are  to  go  to  Malincourt, 
•where  he  has  gathered  a  force  of  men — monks  they  were, 
Lucette  told  me.    Is  this  all  a  part  of  it  ?  " 

"  All,"  he  replied.  "  We  came  to  gather  for  our- 
selves the  truth  as  to  this  Tiger's  doings." 

"  And  you  are  the  leader,  then.    Oh "  she  paused 

and  looked  in  his  eyes. 

"  I  am  Bourbon's  son." 

At  this  she  fell  back  from  him  in  great  concern. 

"  My  lord " 

"  Nay,  Gerard  to  you,  Gabrielle,  my  dearest ;  always 
Gerard  to  you,  as  you  will  always  be  Gabrielle  to  me. 
My  Gabrielle ;  "  and  he  stretched  out  his  arms  and  folded 
them  about  her. 

"  I  am  frightened,  my  lord,"  she  cried,  kurying  her 
face  on  his  shoulder. 


212        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

"  My  lord  cannot  hear  that,  Gabrielle,"  he  whispered 
tenderly. 

"  Gerard,"  she  murmured,  and  lifted  her  face  and 
gazed  upon  him  with  eyes  of  love. 

"  Thus  then  I  break  my  pledge.  I  said  I  would  not 
seek  a  betrothal  kiss  till  I  came  for  it  having  freed 
Morvaix  from  the  claws  of  its  Tiger ;  but — "  and  stoop- 
ing he  kissed  her  on  the  lips.    "  My  Gabrielle." 

"  My  Gerard,  my  knight,  my  love,"  she  whispered, 
and  of  herself  with  love's  sweet  rapturous  abandonment 
sought  his  lips  in  return. 

They  stood  thus  in  silent  happiness  too  deep  for  words, 
when  the  stillness  without  was  broken. 

"  Who  goes  there  ?  "    It  was  the  voice  of  the  guard. 

"  Pascal  has  come,"  said  Gerard. 

"  And  we  shall  have  to  part.  I  could  almost  grudge 
his  coming.  But  look  down,  Gerard,  and  see  what 
passes." 

"  There  are  several  soldiers,"  he  reported,  his  head  at 
the  casement.    "  Ah,  it  is  a  ruse.    Good  Pascal." 

The  sound  of  a  moment's  struggle  came  up ;  a  weapon 
fell  with  a  clang  upon  the  courtyard  stones ;  the  press 
of  heavy  footsteps ;  and  then  again  silence. 

"  Done  without  bloodshed,"  said  Gerard ;  "  and  well 
done,  Pascal.  He  sees  me  and  motions.  Give  me  the 
rope,  dearest ;  "  and  he  flung  it  out  far  into  the  night. 

"  Go,  Gerard,  go,"  cried  Gabrielle,  excitedly. 

"  And  you,  Gabrielle  ?    Where  do  you  go  ?  " 

"  Back  to  the  Duchess.  She  has  planned  this  and  is 
our  staunch  friend.  To-morrow  I  shall  return  to 
Malincourt." 

"  I  would  rather  you  went  with  me.  You  would  be 
safe  at  Malincourt.    This  rope  would  bear  us." 

"  I  shall  be  safe  with  my  friend.  Go,  Gerard,  for  the 
love  of  God,  go.    Every  moment  is  precious." 

"  I  do  not  like  to  leave  you." 


IN    THE    "TIGER'S    DEN"         213 

"  No  harm  can  touch  me  with  her." 

"  But  first  I  must  know  that  you  are  safely  out  from 
this  cell.  Call  Pierre.  I  cannot  leave  you  here.  The 
rack  would  be  a  gentler  punishment  than  the  suspense 
till  I  knew  you  were  safe." 

"  I  will  go  then." 

''  God  keep  you,  dearest,  till  we  meet  at  Malincourt." 

He  threw  his  arms  round  her  and  they  kissed  again ; 
and  then  both  started  back  in  alarm. 

Some  one  tried  the  door  of  the  cell,  and  a  voice  harsh 
and  stern  called  loudly — 

"  Pierre,  Pierre,  come  here  at  once  and  open  the  door." 

"  God  have  mercy  upon  us  both,  it  is  the  Duke's 
voice,"  whispered  Gabrielle,  clinging  to  Gerard.  Then 
with  intense  agitation  in  her  voice  she  added — "  Fly, 
Gerard,  if  you  love  me ;  fly,  or  it  will  be  too  late." 

"  Nay,  it  is  too  late.  I  cannot  leave  you  now,"  he 
answered,  in  a  tone  of  calm  strength. 

"  Then  let  us  go  together." 

"  That  also  were  useless.  He  would  be  in  before  ever 
we  could  reach  the  courtyard;  and  he  would  either  cut 
the  rope  and  we  should  go  to  our  death,  or  summon  his 
soldiers  and  we  should  be  caught.    I  will  await  him  here." 

The  Governor's  voice  was  heard  again  then,  oathing 
and  cursing  at  Pierre's  delay  and  calling  to  him  in 
strident  tones  to  hasten. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

A   LIFE   AND  DEATH    STRUGGLE 

IT  was  indeed  a  desperate  situation  in  which  Gerard 
and  Gabrielle  found  themselves,  and  for  a  few 
moments  Gabrielle  could  do  no  more  than  cling  to 
her  lover  and  stare  at  the  door,  overcome  by  terror. 
Then,  shaking  oflf  her  lethargy,  she  once  more  begged 
him  in  an  impassioned  whisper  to  fly. 

"  You  must  not  ask  it,  Gabrielle ;  nor  will  he  dare  to 
harm  either  of  us  when  I  tell  him  I  am  Bourbon's  son." 

"  He  will ;  he  will,  I  know  him  and  you  do  not,"  she 
urged  strenuously.  "  Within  the  last  few  hours  he 
swore  to  have  your  life,  if  I  would  not  consent  to  marry 
him.  If  he  finds  us  together  he  will  have  you  slain 
before  my  eyes.  For  the  love  of  God,  fly  while  there 
is  yet  time." 

"  Will  you  risk  it  with  me  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes,  anything ;  anything  rather  than  that  he 
find  you  here,"  she  answered  desperately. 

At  this  moment  they  heard  the  key  fitted  into  the  lock 
and  Pierre's  voice  as  he  replied  to  the  Governor's  re- 
proaches. But  before  the  key  could  be  turned,  Gerard 
dragged  the  pallet  to  the  door  and  wedging  it  against 
an  angle  of  the  wall,  improvised  a  barrier  which  jammed 
the  door  fast. 

The  key  was  turned  and  those  outside  strained  to 
thrust  the  door  back ;  and  Pierre's  deep  voice  was  heard 
declaring  that  the  lock  was  wedged. 

214 


A  LIFE  AND  DEATH  STRUGGLE   215 

"  Come,  Gabrielle,  quick,"  Gerard  drew  her  to  the 
window  and,  getting  out,  stood  upon  the  ladder  and 
held  his  arms  waiting  in  a  fever  of  impatience  for  her 
to  follow.  She  went  to  the  window  and  looked  out,  but 
with  a  gasp  of  fear  shrank  back,  appalled  by  the  far 
descent,  and  shuddered. 

"  Heaven  help  me,  Gerard,  I  dare  not,"  she  cried.  Her 
nerve  failed  at  the  look  of  yawning  darkness,  and  when 
at  the  same  moment  a  great  knocking  sounded  against 
the  cell  door,  she  fell  on  her  knees  on  the  floor  and 
buried  her  face  in  her  hands. 

"  Come,  Gabrielle,  courage,"  said  Gerard.  "  Trust 
yourself  to  me  and  all  will  be  well." 

"  I  cannot,  I  cannot,  I  dare  not.  I  cannot  die  that  way. 
I  am  a  coward,  Gerard.  But  do  you  go!  Oh  go,  if 
you  love  me." 

"  That  I  will  not,"  he  answered  and  climbed  back  into 
the  cell,  to  the  dismay  of  Pascal  and  his  companions  who 
were  watching  below. 

Then  the  clamour  at  the  door  ceased. 

"  What  does  it  mean,  Pierre  ?  "  asked  the  Governor. 

"  The  lock  has  jammed,  my  lord,"  was  the  reply.  "  I 
have  known  it  so  once  or  twice  before  and  reported  it. 
With  your  lordship's  leave  I  can  get  another  key  that 
may  open  it." 

"  Quick  then,  man,  quick.  And  have  up  some  men 
with  bars  to  break  the  lock  in  lest  you  fail." 

"  His  entrance  will  be  your  sentence  of  death,  Gerard," 
whispered  Gabrielle.  "  When  roused  he  is  too  recklessly 
desperate  in  his  fury  to  let  aught  stand  in  his  way." 

"  He  will  not  dare  to  harm  me,  Gabrielle,"  he  answered 
calmly. 

"  When  he  finds  that  I  have  come  to  rescue  you,  he 
will  kill  you.  He  would  do  it  were  it  the  King  of  France 
himself  who  stood  in  his  way." 

They  heard  the  Governor  muttering  to  himself  as  he 


2i6        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

fumbled  at  the  lock  impatiently  while  awaiting  Pierre's 
return;  and  then  a  plan  leapt  into  Gerard's  thoughts. 

"  We  will  see,"  he  said.  "  Quick,  Gabrielle !  Rouse 
yourself,  my  dearest.  I  have  a  plan  that  will  yet  save 
us  both.  Where  is  the  knife  you  brought?  He  shall 
come  in." 

"  What  would  you  do,  Gerard  ? "  she  whispered,  in  a 
voice  of  awe,  rising  and  peering  into  his  face  in  the 
dim  light. 

"  Not  murder ;  but  I  have  a  plan.  Stand  over  there  in 
the  shadow  and  be  ready  with  the  knife  when  I  call  to 
you.  Give  me  your  cloak.  Quick,  now,  for  the  love  of 
God.    Seconds  are  priceless." 

Gabrielle  slipped  off  the  cloak  and  handed  it  to  him, 
and  stood  back  where  he  had  directed. 

"  When  I  have  moved  the  pallet  stand  as  still  as  death, 
till  I  call  to  you." 

Making  as  little  noise  as  possible  he  wrenched  the 
pallet  from  the  door  and  placed  it  ready  for  use  again, 
and  holding  the  cloak  in  readiness  took  his  stand  behind 
the  door. 

As  he  did  so  he  heard  Pierre  in  the  distance. 

The  Governor  tried  the  door  again  then  and,  finding 
it  yield,  pushed  it  open  and  entered  the  cell,  all  un- 
suspicious of  any  danger. 

In  a  moment  Gerard  threw  a  cloak  over  his  head  and, 
smothering  his  cry  of  alarm  in  the  folds  of  the  cloak, 
dashed  him  violently  to  the  ground.  Then  leaving  his 
prisoner  for  a  moment  he  thrust  the  bed  once  more 
against  the  door  just  in  time  to  prevent  those  outside 
from  entering,  or  indeed  seeing  what  had  occurred. 

The  Governor  finding  himself  free,  however,  began 
to  shout  for  help,  when  Gerard  sprang  upon  him  again, 
gripped  him  by  the  throat,  and  clapped  a  hand  roughly 
over  his  mouth. 

The  Governor  was  a  powerful  man,  and  he  fought 


A  LIFE  AND  DEATH  STRUGGLE   217 

with  frantic  efforts  to  free  himself  from  Gerard's  grip. 
A  desperate  struggle  in  the  darkness  followed — Gerard 
bent  on  preventing  a  single  cry  from  escaping  his  ad- 
versary's lips,  and  the  Duke  writhing  and  straining  to  cast 
off  the  sinewy  hands  which  clutched  his  throat  and 
mouth,  threatening  to  suffocate  him. 

The  silence,  broken  only  by  the  hard  breathing  of 
Gerard  and  the  convulsive  movements  of  the  pair  as  they 
were  locked  in  the  deadly  embrace,  added  to  the  weird 
terror  of  the  scene, 

"  The  knife,"  whispered  Gerard  at  length,  as  he  felt 
the  strength  of  his  enemy  beginning  to  give  out;  and 
Gabrielle,  whose  courage  had  now  returned,  crept  across 
the  cell  as  near  to  him  as  she  dared,  and  held  it  out. 
Waiting  his  opportunity  he  released  the  grip  on  his 
opponent's  throat,  and  taking  the  knife  held  it  over  the 
weakening  man's  heart. 

"  My  lord,  my  lord !  "  called  Pierre,  puzzled  at  not 
finding  the  Governor  at  the  door.    "  Where  are  you  ?  " 

Then  the  other  men  whom  Pierre  had  summoned  came 
up  and  spoke  to  him. 

Tearing  the  cloak  from  the  Duke's  face,  Gerard  let 
him  see  the  gleam  of  the  knife  in  the  moonlight. 

"  My  lord  Duke,  a  single  sound  from  your  lips  other 
than  I  direct,  and  as  I  am  a  man,  the  blade  goes  straight 
home  to  your  heart." 

To  further  the  threat  he  pressed  the  dagger  until  the 
sharp  point  entered  the  flesh ;  and  withdrawing  it,  he 
dragged  him  to  his  feet  and  held  him. 

At  Gerard's  fierce  tone  and  menacing  gesture,  and  still 
more  at  the  slight  wound  inflicted,  the  Governor's 
courage  gave,  and  he  stood  trembling  in  deadly  fear  for 
his  life. 

At  that  moment  the  clamour  began  again  at  the  door. 

"  You  are  in  my  power ;  but  I  do  not  seek  your  life 
unless  you  force  me  by  treacher>',"  breathed  Gerard  into 
his  ear. 


12 1 8        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  What  do  you  want  ?  "  The  harsh  strident  voice  was 
feeble  and  husky  as  the  question  came  from  trembUng 
Hps. 

"  Send  those  men  away,  all  of  them.  Say  all  is  well, 
and  bid  them  cease  their  efforts." 

Realising  his  helplessness  and  too  appalled  by  his 
imminent  peril  to  attempt  treachery,  he  turned  toward 
the  door  and  called  to  Pierre  by  name.  But  his  quaver- 
ing voice  was  drowned  by  the  din  and  clatter  those 
outside  were  making. 

"  Louder,  louder,"  whispered  Gerard. 

"  Pierre,  Pierre,"  called  the  Governor ;  but  the  call 
was  still  unheard,  and  with  the  hilt  of  the  knife  Gerard 
knocked  angrily  at  the  door. 

The  clamour  ceased  and  all  was  still  as  the  grave. 

"  Are  you  there,  my  lord  ?  "  asked  Pierre. 

"  Yes,  Pierre,     Cease  your  efforts." 

"  Is  that  really  you,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  Louder,  and  in  your  natural  tone,  or — "  threatened 
Gerard. 

"  Who  should  it  be,  fellow  ?  Send  those  men  away,  I 
say,"  cried  the  Governor  with  an  effort. 

"  It  is  the  Governor.  You  are  to  go  away,"  they  heard 
Pierre  say  to  the  others ;  and  their  footsteps  were  heard 
as  they  went,  growing  fainter  until  the  distance  swallowed 
them. 

"  Tell  him  to  go  too,  but  to  leave  the  keys  in  the  door," 
prompted  Gerard  next. 

"  Are  you  there,  Pierre  ?  " 

"  Yes,  my  lord." 

"  I  told  you  all  to  go  away.    Leave  the  keys." 

"  You  have  saved  your  life,"  said  Gerard,  releasing 
his  hold ;  and  the  Governor  fell  prone  on  the  prisoner's 
bed,  as  Gerard  gave  a  deep-drawn  sigh  of  relief.  The 
first  part  of  the  struggle  was  over  and  had  ended  in 
victory. 


A  LIFE  AND  DEATH  STRUGGLE   219 

But  there  was  yet  much  to  do,  and  what  course  to 
take  was  a  hard  problem  to  solve. 

Could  Gabrielle  have  ventured  to  trust  herself  with 
him  on  the  rope,  the  way  would  have  been  easy  enough ; 
but  her  nerve  had  so  failed  her  that  he  feared  to  ask  her 
again. 

There  was  nothing  for  it,  therefore,  but  to  put  a  bold 
face  on  things  and  to  find  their  way  out  together  as 
best  they  could.  Leave  her  he  would  not,  come  what 
might.  After  what  had  occurred,  nothing  should  induce 
him  to  let  her  stay  within  reach  of  the  mad  fiend  this 
Governor  would  be  when  once  he  was  liberated  from 
the  cell. 

He  had  prevented  her  being  seen,  it  was  true ;  but  the 
Governor  would  set  such  inquiries  on  foot  that  her  pres- 
ence in  that  part  of  the  Castle  would  be  surely  discov- 
ered ;  and  what  would  follow  the  discovery  no  one  could 
attempt  to  say. 

Yet  the  time  was  pressing  with  cruel  insistence.  Any- 
minute  might  bring  de  Proballe  upon  the  scene  witK 
the  men  who  were  to  apply  the  torture.  And  under  the 
spur  of  this  thought,  Gerard  made  his  plan. 

With  a  threat  to  his  prisoner  to  lie  still  on  pain  of 
death,  he  gave  Gabrielle  her  cloak  with  a  sign  to  put  it 
on,  and  tearing  off  his  coat,  he  whispered  to  her  to  take 
it,  find  Pierre,  get  Dubois  liberated,  and  tell  him  to  give 
her  his  monk's  garb. 

"  Lose  not  a  second,"  he  whispered  earnestly.  "  It 
may  mean  our  lives." 

He  opened  the  cell  door,  saw  her  speed  away  on  her 
errand,  and  turned  to  finish  his  preparations. 

Hauling  in  the  rope  ladder,  lest  it  should  be  seen  and 
rouse  suspicions,  he  cut  the  ropes,  and  having  bound  the 
Governor  securely  hand  and  foot,  improvised  a  gag  with 
part  of  the  bedclothes. 

He  had  just  finished  his  task,  working  with  desperate- 


1220        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

haste,  when  he  heard  a  heavy  footstep  in  the  corridor. 
Fearing  it  might  be  de  Proballe,  he  seized  the  knife  and 
stood  in  readiness  behind  the  door. 

With  intense  reUef  he  saw  Pierre's  bearded  face.  In 
silence  Gerard  pointed  to  where  the  Governor,  thus 
i  bound  and  gagged,  lay  in  a  corner  of  the  cell,  and  then 
donned  the  monk's  gabardine  which  Pierre  had  brought. 
In  this  guise  he  left  the  cell,  locking  the  door  and  taking 
the  key  with  him,  and  followed  Pierre  along  the  gloomy 
corridor. 

"  They  are  close  here,  monsieur,  watching,"  whispered 
Pierre ;  and  a  moment  later  they  came  upon  Dubois  and 
Gabrielle. 

A  hurried  consultation  followed  as  to  the  least  haz- 
ardous means  of  getting  out  of  the  Castle.  Gabrielle 
was  for  going  to  the  apartments  of  the  Duchess;  but 
Gerard,  all  unwilling  that  she  should  remain  a  minute 
longer  than  was  necessar}%  would  not  consent. 

"  No,  we  must  get  you  beyond  this  Tiger's  reach,  at 
any  hazard.    What  say  you,  Dubois  ?  " 

But  Dubois  having  heard  the  Governor  was  a  prisoner, 
had  another  and  much  bolder  scheme. 

"  I  am  with  mademoiselle,  so  far  as  staying  here,"  he 
said.  "  I  would  take  the  bold  line,  my  lord.  Keep  the 
Governor  a  prisoner;  let  me  collect  our  men  together, 
declare  yourself  openly,  and  by  a  bold  stroke  seize  the 
Castle  itself  in  the  name  of  your  father.  At  best  we 
should  have  half  the  garrison  on  our  side ;  and  at  worst 
should  only  have  to  hold  this  part  of  the  Castle  for  some 
two  days.  With  our  hundred  men  we  could  maintain  it 
against  half  an  army,  especially  with  the  army  disor- 
ganized and  leaderless.  Mademoiselle  could  remain  with 
the  Duchess  in  perfect  safety,  because  the  Governor 
would  be  in  our  hands." 

"  It  is  like  you,  Dubois,  and  might  succeed ;  but  I  see 
a  thousand  difficulties." 


A  LIFE  AND  DEATH  STRUGGLE   221 

"  Tliere  are  difficulties  every  way ;  but  as  I  told  you 
to-day,  I  know  the  disaffection  among  the  men  here ;  and 
the  difficulties  stoutly  faced  would  yield," 

Gerard  thought  earnestly  a  moment  and  then  shook 
his  head. 

The  hazard  is  too  great.  If  we  can  but  once  reach 
the  courtyard,  Pascal  is  there  with  a  force  enough  to 
get  us  through  the  breach  in  the  wall  I  noticed  to-day; 
and  we  can  then  leave  the  city.  Can  you  guide  us  by  a 
safe  way  to  the  courtyard,  Pierre  ?  " 

"  It  may  be  done,  my  lord ;  but  'tis  now  close  on  the 
hour  for  the  change  of  guard." 

"  Then  I  decide  for  that,"  broke  in  Gerard.  "  Lead  the 
way." 

"  It  is  full  of  risks,  my  lord.  There  is  an  iron  door 
on  every  landing,  and  a  sentry  posted  at  each." 

"  Go  you  on  ahead  then ;  and  if  any  difficulty  is  made 
about  our  passing,  leave  it  to  us  to  force  the  way." 

They  started  at  once — Pierre  some  little  distance  in 
front,  Dubois  next,  and  Gerard  with  Gabrielle  following. 
The  stairway,  narrow  and  pitch  dark,  wound  down  the 
western  tower  of  the  prison  fortress ;  and  the  light  from 
the  lantern  which  Pierre  carried  scarcely  reached  those 
above. 

Not  a  word  further  was  spoken,  and  each  of  the  three 
trod  as  lightly  as  the  broken  uneven  stairs  would  allow. 

Soon  they  saw  Pierre's  light  stop  and  heard  some  one 
speak  to  him. 

"  Who  goes  ?    Is  that  you,  Pierre  ?  " 

"  Who  else,  Armand  ?  "  was  the  gruff  reply.  Then  a 
faint  chink  of  something  falling  on  the  stone  and  an  ex- 
clamation from  Pierre.  "  Diable !  I've  dropped  my  key. 
Lend  me  your  eyes,  Armand." 

A  musket  was  set  down  ;  and  a  moment  later  the  sound 
of  a  heavy  blow  and  a  low  groan,  at  which  Gabrielle 
caught  her  breath  and  shuddered. 


222        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

**  Quick,  my  lord,"  called  Pierre ;  and  running  down 
they  found  him  bending  over  the  unconscious  form  of  the 
sentry.  "  There  was  no  other  way,"  he  said.  "  He 
would  have  fired  his  musket  and  roused  every  guard  in 
the  Castle  had  he  caught  sight  of  you." 

"  Twas  cleverly  done,"  said  Dubois.  "  Make  sure 
of  him;"  and  he  picked  up  the  soldier's  musket,  glad  to 
get  a  weapon  so  easily, 

"  Not  cleverly ;  treacherously,  monsieur,"  replied 
Pierre  regretfully ;  "  but  there  was  nothing  else  for  it ;  " 
and  he  opened  the  iron  door  for  them  to  pass. 

"  You  will  have  to  leave  with  us  now,  Pierre,"  said 
Gerard. 

"'Pray  Heaven  we  are  as  lucky  at  the  next  gate,"  he 
answered,  and  again  went  on  ahead. 

Fortune  was  with  them  at  the  next  gate.  The  sentry 
was  asleep,  and  Pierre  opened  the  gate  and  let  them 
through. 

"  Naught  but  luck  put  the  sot  Crateau  on  guard  to- 
night of  all  nights,"  he  said.  "  If  the  Governor  hears 
of  it  his  head  will  ache  no  more  with  liquor.  There  is 
but  one  more  gate,  my  lord,  and  there  we  may  have 
trouble ;  but  once  passed,  a  few  steps  only  remain  till 
we  reach  the  courtyard." 

They  continued  the  descent  as  rapidly  as  practicable 
until  Pierre  stopped  them. 

"  I  think  you  had  better  come  on  with  me,  monsieur," 
he  said  to  Dubois ;  "  and  leave  my  lord  and  mademoiselle 
to  follow  when  we  have  seen  the  way  is  clear." 

The  two  went  down  together,  and  Gerard  felt  in 
the  darkness  for  Gabrielle's  hand. 

"  You  are  not  frightened,  Gabrielle  ?  "  he  whispered. 

"  I  am  with  you,"  she  answered,  pressing  to  his  side. 

"  You  are  trembling,  sweetheart." 

"  It  is  for  you,  dearest.  If  we  were  but  free  »f  this 
dreadful  place ! " 


A  LIFE  AND  DEATH  STRUGGLE   223 

"  Courage,  dear  one ;  all  will  come  right." 

"  Pray  God  it  may,"  she  said  fervently.  "  What  peril 
I  have  caused  you." 

"  Nay,  it  is  I  who  have  brought  you  to  this  pass.  But 
you  may  trust  Dubois  to  carry  us  through." 

"  It  is  you  I  trust,  Gerard.  Ah !  something  is  hap- 
pening! " 

Pierre  was  right  in  anticipating  trouble.  As  they 
neared  the  gate  they  heard  the  voices  of  several  men. 

"  Assembling  for  the  change  of  guard,  monsieur,"  he 
whispered  to  Dubois.  "  They  will  let  me  pass,  and  I 
shall  say  you  are  one  of  the  new  officers  who  joined  the 
Castle  force  recently." 

**  I  am  one,  Pierre." 

"  I  thought  as  much,"  was  the  pithy  reply.  "  Some  of 
your  men  may  be  amongst  them.  But  I  know  not  what 
to  do." 

"  Put  a  bold  face  on  it  and  leave  it  to  me,"  said  Dubois ; 
and  the  next  moment  they  found  themselves  among  half 
a  dozen  men  clustered  by  the  gate.  "  It  is  a  fine  prison, 
friend  Pierre,  but  I  don't  envy  you  your  warding,"  said 
Dubois  aloud,  in  an  easy  tone,  as  he  reached  the  bottom. 
"  And  these  men,  who  are  they — the  guard  ?  " 

At  the  sound  of  his  voice  the  soldiers  looked  round,  and 
two  of  them  drew  themselves  up  instantly  and  saluted. 
With  intense  satisfaction  Dubois  recognized  them  as  his 
own  men,  returned  the  salute,  and  addressed  them. 

"  On  guard,  Vauchamp,  and  you,  Dentelle,  learning 
your  new  duties  ?    Good.    Open  the  gate,  Pierre." 

"  Who  is  this,  Pierre  ? "  demanded  the  sergeant  in 
command. 

"  What,  don't  you  know  your  own  officers,  Vauban?" 
returned  Pierre,  in  a  surly  tone.  "  Out  of  the  way  and 
let  me  obey  my  orders." 

"  Not  so  fast,  surly-tongue,"  growled  the  man  angrily^ 
"  No  one  passes  here." 


224        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Surly-tong^e  yourself,  you  uncivil  beast,"  returned 
Pierre,  and  as  if  with  sudden  passion,  he  dealt  him  a 
blow  Ml  the  head  which  sent  him  reeling  to  one  side,  and 
thrust  the  key  in  the  lock. 

Recovering  his  surprise  and  furious  at  the  blow,  the 
man  sprang  at  Pierre  to  be  met  with  the  butt  end  of 
Dubois'  musket  full  in  the  face. 

"  Back,  you  mutinous  dog,"  cried  Dubois,  in  a  voice 
of  command,  as  the  man  fell  stunned  and  bleeding.  "  Is 
this  the  way  you  Castle  men  treat  your  officers?  You 
know  better  at  least,"  he  said  to  his  own  men.  "  See  that 
there's  no  more  of  this  mutiny.  Bring  down  the  visitors, 
Pierre." 

But  there  was  no  need  to  fetch  them,  for  Gerard  at 
the  first  sound  of  trouble  had  hurried  down  with 
Gabrielle. 

The  sergeant's  men,  taken  by  surprise  stood  in  doubt 
what  to  do ;  but  as  two  of  their  new  comrades  had 
recognized  Dubois  for  an  officer  and  sided  with  him,  and 
being  as  they  saw  outnumbered,  they  offered  no  re- 
sistance, and  the  little  party  were  through  the  gate,  and 
the  gate  itself  was  locked  before  their  surprise  had  passed. 

The  stairway  now  was  broader  and  led  straight  to  the 
open  doorway,  which  let  out  upon  the  courtyard;  and 
they  were  hurrying  down,  Gerard  and  Gabrielle  leading, 
when  the  figures  of  two  men  showed  in  the  doorway,  and 
Gabrielle  clutched  Gerard's  arm  in  sudden  fear. 

"  De  Proballe,"  she  whispered,  shrinking  against  the 
wall. 

At  the  same  moment  there  came  the  sound  of  shots  and 
angry  voices  in  the  courtyard,  and  all  the  evidences  of 
a  fierce  battle. 

"  It  is  the  guard  changing,  my  lord,"  said  Pierre. 
"  They  have  discovered  something  wrong." 

"  They  have  run  up  against  Pascal's  force,"  he  replied. 
"  Dubois,  we  must  clear  that  doorway ;  or  we  shall  be 
caught  like  rats  in  a  hole." 


A  LIFE  AND  DEATH  STRUGGLE  225 

"  I'll  do  it,"  answered  Dubois  sternly,  gripping  his 
■weapon. 

"  Stay,  monsieur,  by  your  leave.  I  have  a  thought," 
urged  Pierre;  and  without  waiting  to  explain  what  it 
was  he  ran  on  down  the  stairway  to  de  Proballe. 


CHAPTER  XX 


A    DASH    FOR   THE   WALLS 


DUBOIS  looked  after  Pierre  with  some  misgivings 
as  he  saw  him  accost  de  Proballe. 
"  I  suppose  he  is  to  be  trusted,"  he  muttered. 

"  Hasn't  he  given  proof  of  it  ?  "  repHed  Gerard- 

"  I  would  trust  him  with  my  life,"  said  Gabrielk. 

"  And  I  would  trust  few  men  of  Morvaix  with  any- 
thing," returned  Dubois.  "  I  am  minded  to  go  and  hear 
for  myself.  While  that  din  rages  outside  I  could  get  up 
unheard  and  would  soon  have  the  way  clear." 

But  there  was  no  need  for  suspicion  of  Pierre.  He 
went  up  to  de  Proballe  and  addressed  him  openly. 

"  By  your  leave,  my  lord,  I  was  seeking  you.  The 
Governor  sent  me  to  find  you  for  the  work  in  the  turret 
cell." 

"  Where  is  he  ?  "  asked  de  Proballe. 

"  I  left  him  with  the  prisoner,  my  lord,  and  he  ordered 
me,  if  I  should  find  you,  to  ask  you  to  hasten  to  him 
at  once  by  way  of  the  upper  gallery.  Jean  of  the  Mask 
has  gone  thither  and  I  am  in  search  now  of  the  surgeon." 

"  Then  the  prisoner  will  be  racked  ?  "  asked  de  Proballe, 
in  a  tone  of  satisfaction. 

"  Rack  for  the  one,  my  lord,  and  the  weights  for  the 
priest,"  answered  Pierre,  so  glibly  and  readily  that  de 
Proballe  never  thought  he  was  lying.  "  The  Governor 
is  full  of  impatience,  my  lord,"  he  added ;  and  de  Pro- 
balle hurried  away,  making  an  excuse  to  his  companion. 

226 


A    DASH    FOR   THE   WALLS       227 

*'  What  is  the  trouble,  captain  ?  "  asked  Pierre. 

"  A  quarrel  with  some  of  the  new  soldiers  which  will 
end  in  work  for  you,  I  fancy,  Pierre." 

"  It  seems  serious,  captain ;  and  I've  work  enough  with 
my  last  birds  not  to  need  more.  They  are  to  be  ques- 
tioned to-night." 

"Who  are  they,  Pierre?"  asked  the  officer  eagerly. 

"If  you  will  walk  with  me  HI  tell  you.  I  am  seeking 
the  surgeon." 

He  led  the  officer  away  with  this  pretext,  and  the  door- 
way being  thus  cleared,  Gerard  and  the  others  ran  down 
into  the  courtyard. 

"  Which  way  now  ?  "  asked  Dubois. 

"  I  can  find  the  road,"  said  Gerard.  "  But  where  is 
Pierre?    We  cannot  leave  him  after  w-hat  he  has  done." 

"  If  we  wait  for  him  we  shall  have  the  place  swarming 
with  men,"  answered  Dubois. 

And  this  seemed  true  enough  indeed.  Attracted  by 
the  news  of  the  fighting,  soldiers  were  beginning  to  pour 
out  of  the  doorways  into  the  courtyard,  laughing  and 
oathing  as  they  ran  in  the  direction  of  the  now  receding 
sounds  of  conflict;  and  Gerard  saw  to  his  disquiet  that 
the  stream  was  setting  in  the  direction  of  that  part  of 
the  v.alls  through  which  he  hoped  to  make  his  escape. 

"  Pascal  has  had  to  retreat,"  he  said.  "  But  we  must 
go.  Pierre  or  no  Pierre,"  and  giving  a  last  glance  for  the 
absent  gaoler  he  set  off  at  a  brisk  pace  across  the  court- 
yard. 

No  one  seemed  to  heed  them  and  they  were  turning 
a  comer  of  the  building  when  Pierre  came  running  after 
them. 

"  This  way,  my  lord ;  not  a  moment  must  be  lost,"  he 
said,  breathing  hard.  "  I  had  to  get  rid  of  the  captain 
yonder  and  to  find  you  swords.  There  may  be  some 
fighting  to  be  done." 

They  raced  along  for  a  short  distance  at  full  speed. 


228        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

Pierre  guiding  them  through  deserted  ways  until  at  a 
turn  of  the  walls  they  came  in  full  view  of  the  fighting, 
when  Pierre  stopped  abruptly. 

*'  We  are  too  late,"  he  said  hurriedly.  "  It  would  be 
madness  to  attempt  it.  See,  they  are  already  close  to  the 
breach." 

He  was  right,  as  Gerard  recognized  at  a  glance. 

"  What  can  we  do  ?  "  he  asked.  "  Is  there  another 
spot  by  which  we  can  get  out  ?  " 

"  I  know  of  none,  my  lord." 

"  How  say  you,  Dubois  ?    Dare  we  risk  it  ?  " 

"  With  mademoiselle  it  is  hopeless,"  he  replied. 

"  Then  leave  me,  Gerard.  You  can  get  through  alone, 
and  I  can  find  my  way  safely  either  to  the  Duchess  or  out 
through  the  main  gateway.    No  one  will  stop  me." 

"  You  wrong  me  in  that  thought,  mademoiselle,"  said 
Dubois  hastily  and  earnestly.  "  God  forbid  that  I  should 
think  of  leaving  you." 

"  We  would  not  dream  of  it,"  declared  Gerard.  "  We 
must  wait  where  we  are  until  matters  have  quieted  down, 
and  then  go." 

"  There  is  an  old  guard-house  close  by,  my  lord,  where 
we  can  wait  unseen,"  said  Pierre.  "  Unused  now,  save 
as  a  storehouse  for  the  workmen." 

"  I  see  the  plan  of  the  fight,"  said  Dubois.  "  It  is 
Pascal,  right  enough.  See,  he  is  drawing  off  his  men 
in  good  order.  He  knows  his  work  when  put  to  it, 
gabble-tongue  though  he  be." 

"  We  may  be  spied  out  and  suspected,  my  lord,"  said 
Pierre.  "  Any  minute  may  find  the  escape  known  now," 
and  he  told  how  he  had  got  rid  of  de  Proballe.  "  If  the 
Governor  be  found  in  your  cell,  hell  will  soon  be  loose  in 
the  Castle." 

"  Come,  Dubois,  to  cover,"  said  Gerard. 

"  Good,  good,"  cried  Dubois,  the  soldier  in  him  rejoic- 
ing ;   "  they   are    through    the    walls    to    a    man,"    and 


A    DASH    FOR   THE   WALLS       219 

reluctantly  he  obeyed  Gerard's  injunction  and  followed 
him  to  the  shelter. 

"  You  can  watch  matters  from  here,  monsieur,"  said 
Pierre,  as  they  entered  the  place.  "  The  window  up 
there  commands  a  view  of  that  part  of  the  battlements." 

In  a  moment  Dubois  had  clambered  up,  and  the  others 
waited  anxiously  to  hear  his  report. 

"  All  seems  well,"  he  said,  after  a  minute's  observation. 
**  Pascal  must  have  made  off.  The  Castle  men  are  not 
following.  They  are  clustered  round  the  place  like  bees, 
but  hesitate  to  follow  for  some  reason.  Pascal  must  have 
had  more  men  posted  there.  That's  it.  Some  of  the 
men  are  straggling  back.  Yes — yes.  Good!  What's 
that  ?  "  he  broke  off  suddenly  as  guns  were  fired  from 
the  Castle,  followed  by  a  trumpet  sounding  the  assembly. 

"  The  escape  is  known,"  said  Pierre.  "  Now,  Heaven 
help  us  all." 

"  The  men  are  rushing  back  in  a  body,"  reported 
Dubois. 

"  We  must  take  the  risk  and  go,"  said  Gerard. 

"  Let  me  go  first  and  see  the  way  is  clear,"  replied 
Dubois,  jumping  down  and  darting  into  the  night. 

"  Cautiously,"  whispered  Gerard. 

As  they  left  the  old  guard-house  they  saw  the  soldiers 
running  back  to  the  Castle  in  hot  haste  to  obey  the  call 
and  learn  the  news;  and  in  a  minute  the  place  where 
they  had  swarmed  in  such  numbers  was  deserted  except 
for  sentries. 

"  We  must  take  our  chance,"  said  Dubois,  staying  for 
the  others.  "  Come  on  with  me,  Pierre ;  "  and  the  two 
ran  forward,  followed  at  a  few  paces  distance  by  Gerard 
and  Gabrielle. 

The  Castle  itself  was  now  the  scene  of  great  commo- 
tion. Lights  were  flashing  everywhere,  men  hurrying 
in  all  directions,  trumpets  sounding,  and  guns  booming 
at   intervals.     Everything  showed  that  events  of  deep 


ajo        A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

import  had  occurred  and  preparations  on  a  great  scale 
were  in  progress. 

Dubois,  with  Pierre  at  his  heels,  crept  up  the  steps 
and  with  the  utmost  coolness  made  his  observations  and 
laid  his  plan.  Four  men  were  standing  together  close  to 
the  breach  talking  eagerly. 

"  There  are  but  four  men,"  he  whispered  to  Gerard ; 
"  and  we  have  the  advantage  of  a  surprise.  We  had 
best  attack  before  any  more  come  up." 

Gerard  nodded  his  assent,  and  dashing  up  the  three 
sprang  forward  and  attacked  the  soldiers.  Two  of  them 
went  down  before  Gerard  and  Dubois,  and  the  others 
broke  and  ran  for  the  Castle  with  shouts  to  raise  an  alarm 
as  they  sped. 

But  the  way  was  won,  and  before  the  men  could  reach 
their  comrades  to  tell  their  news  the  four  were  safely  out 
and  speeding  away  through  the  moonlight  toward  the 
city. 

The  distance  was  short,  fortunately ;  but  short  as  it 
was,  Dubois,  knowing  that  pursuit  would  soon  be  hot 
on  their  heels,  cast  many  an  anxious  look  behind  him 
at  the  Castle. 

"  Would  to  Heaven  we  could  have  met  with  Pascal,** 
he  muttered. 

"  He  has  gone  to  Malincourt,"  said  Gerard. 

"  Should  we  not  follow  him  ?  The  pursuit  will  spread 
out  like  a  fan  and  every  inch  of  the  ground  Avill  be 
scoured." 

"  We  could  not  reach  Malincourt,  I  fear,"  was  Gerard's 
verdict,  and  then  Gabrielle  was  ready  with  a  suggestion. 

"  I  can  find  shelter  and  help  in  a  hundred  houses  while 
we  make  our  plans.    In  the  city  I  am  sure  of  my  people." 

"  Our  plans  should  not  take  long  to  form,"  answered 
Gerard.  "  To  leave  the  city  by  the  gates  is  impossible, 
of  course,  and  we  need  but  a  guide  who  will  lead  us  to 
some  spot  by  which  we  can  get  out.  Once  outside  we 
can  trust  to  ourselves  to  find  the  road  to  Cambrai.' 


A    DASH    FOR   THE    WALLS       231 

"To  Cambrai?"  asked  Gabrielle.  "Why  to  Cam- 
brai  ?  " 

"  Because  at  Cambrai  lies  a  Bourbon  force  strong 
enough  to  break  the  Governor's  power." 

"  Would  we  were  safely  housed  in  Malincourt  to  await 
liim,"  said  Dubois. 

"  Better  were  we  safely  out  of  Morvaix  altogether," 
replied  Gerard. 

Under  Gabrielle's  guidance  they  hurried  through  the 
streets,  in  which  the  citizens*  were  beginning  to  assemble, 
attracted  by  the  Castle  guns.  Groups  of  townsfolk  stood 
at  the  corners  and  in  the  roadways  discussing  the  mean- 
ing of  the  unusual  disturbance  in  more  or  less  eager 
tones  and  with  many  a  sign  of  fear  lest  it  boded  ill  to 
the  city  and  themselves. 

Now  and  again  a  soldier  or  two,  who  had  been  loiter- 
ing late  in  their  revels  in  the  city,  would  dash  past  them 
scurrying  Castlewards.  Everywhere  excitement  and  un- 
easiness prevailed. 

Many  curious  glances  were  cast  after  the  four  as  they 
hurried  on  their  way,  and  once  or  twice,  when  Pierre 
chanced  to  be  recognized,  a  question  would  be  flung  after 
him  as  to  the  meaning  of  the  trouble  at  the  Castle.  But 
no  one  sought  to  stay  them,  and  a  good  distance  had 
been  safely  put  between  them  and  the  Castle  when 
Gabrielle  stopped  before  a  long,  low-gabled  house  in  a 
dark  by-street. 

"  I  can  get  the  guide  we  need  here,"  she  said.  She 
knocked  at  the  door  and  entered,  to  return  in  a  couple 
of  minutes. 

"  There  is  bad  news,  I  fear,"  she  said.  "  You  remem- 
ber the  man  who  was  slain  in  the  market  place,  Babillon 
the  smith.  This  is  the  house  of  his  brother ;  he  is 
entirely  to  be  trusted.  He  knows  every  inch  of  the  city 
walls  and  is  often  passing  in  and  out  by  secret  ways 
when  the  gates  are  shut.     He  says  that  something  has 


232        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

occurred  which  has  put  the  guard  on  the  alert,  and  that 
to-night  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  pass." 

"  Let  me  question  him,"  said  Gerard,  and  they  went 
in  together. 

"  Greeting,  good  friar,"  said  Babillon,  a  strong,  lithe, 
hard-faced,  keen-eyed  man,  saluting  Gerard  respectfully. 

"  I  am  no  monk,  my  good  fellow,"  said  Gerard,  "  but 
a  soldier,  and  together  with  mademoiselle  here  need  your 
help  to  get  from  the  city.  What  is  this  you  say  has 
occurred  ? " 

"  A  command  was  sent  by  my  lord  the  Governor,  to-day, 
monsieur,  that  the  gates  were  to  be  closed  and  no  one 
permitted  to  leave  without  a  license  from  himself.  Soon 
after  that  I  was  at  the  south  gate  and  having  been  stopped 
was  hanging  round  in  curiosity,  when  a  courier  rode  up 
and  was  stopped  likewise.  A  monk,  whom  I  recognized, 
was  with  him,  and  seeing  both  were  much  disconcerted, 
I  followed  them  and  offered  my  services." 

"  Can  you  describe  either  ?  "  asked  Gerard  quickly. 

"  The  monk  was  tall,  erect,  spare  of  figure,  with  a  blue 
eye  sharp  to  read  your  thoughts,  quick  of  tongue,  and 
customed  to  command,  as  I  found  afterwards.  A  noble, 
monsieur,  and  yet  of  winning  condescension  and  with 
a  laugh  where  many  another  would  have  a  curse." 

"  It  might  be  Pascal,"  said  Gerard  to  Gabrielle.  "  What 
next,  Babillon  ?    You  say  you  recognized  him  ?  " 

"  I  had  seen  him  before,  my  lord.  It  was  he  who 
stood  between  you  and  the  soldiers  when  my  brother  was 
killed,  mademoiselle.  He  told  me  that  if  I  could  get  him 
two  men  in  secret  from  the  city  he  would  reward  me 
well ;  and  when  I  showed  him  it  could  be  done,  he  carried 
me  with  him  and  left  me  in  charge  of  some  monks — at 
least  they  were  dressed  as  monks,  monsieur,  though  my 
ears  being  trained  to  catch  sounds  readily,  I  heard  more 
muttered  oaths  among  them  than  one  looks  to  hear  from 
men  of  holy  life.     I  served  him,  monsieur,  and  he  paid 


A    DASH    FOR   THE   WALLS        233 

me  well;  but  'twas  this  work  which  has  caused  the  city 
to  be  shut  like  a  bear's  cage  with  the  door  barred." 

"  You  got  them  away  then  ?  " 

"  Two  separately  while  the  light  lasted  and  two  together 
after  nightfall,  but  the  last  piece  was  hazardous.  They 
were  seen,  and  I  escaped  capture  by  no  more  than  a  hair's 
breadth.  And  since  then  at  every  doubtful  point  where 
such  a  thing  could  be  attempted  soldiers  have  been 
posted." 

"  This  is  both  good  and  ill  news  you  give,  friend.  You 
have  done  that  which  will  earn  you  a  higher  reward  than 
at  present  I  can  name.  But  now,  can  you  increase  my 
gratitude,  and  get  us  past  these  guards?  Think.  It  is 
Pascal,  of  course/'  he  said  to  Gabrielle,  while  Babillon 
stood  thinking.  "  He  has  trebled  the  messengers  to  Cam- 
brai.     Now,  Babillon,  how  say  you  ?  " 

"  There  is  the  river,"  he  answered,  shaking  his  head 

doubtfully.     "  Men  might  do  it,   but "   he   glanced 

toward  Gabrielle  and  shook  his  head  again. 

"  Tell  me,"  said  Gerard  quickly. 

"  It  runs  for  some  three  hundred  yards  by  the  walls 
between  the  north  and  east  gates:  the  walls  are  high 
there  and  no  one  w'ould  look  for  an  attempt  at  such  a 
spot ;  and  so  the  guards  are  but  sparsely  set.  I  have 
done  it,  but  I  have  swum  the  stream.  I  can  scale  the 
walls  and  could  plant  a  rope  ladder  for  you  all — but  there 
is  the  stream,"  and  once  more  he  shook  his  head  as  he 
glanced  toward  Gabrielle. 

"  You  can  go  that  way,  Gerard,"  she  said  instantly. 
"  I  can  lie  hid  if  need  be " 

"  We  shall  not  part,"  he  answered.  "  Could  we  not  get 
a  boat  or  even  some  planks?  "  he  asked  Babillon. 

"  It  would  be  full  of  hazard,  monsieur.  With  such  a 
watch  set  as  there  is  to-night  we  should  almost  surely 
be  seen  before  we  had  crossed.  They  would  fire  upon 
us  and,  even  if  we  escaped  their  shots,  they  would  send 


1234        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

round  a  party  from  the  eastern  gate  to  cut  us  off.  But 
if  you  wish  it,  I  am  willing." 

"  When  the  disease  calls  for  it,  only  a  coward  shrinks 
from  the  knife,"  said  Gerard.  "  We  must  make  the 
attempt  and  leave  the  issue  to  Heaven." 

"  You  had  best  wait  here,  monsieur,  while  I  make  such 
preparations  as  I  can.  I  may  be  av/ay  some  time,"  said 
Babillon,  and  he  hastily  outlined  his  plan. 

Dubois  and  Pierre  were  brought  into  the  house  and 
Babillon  left.  Gerard  explained  the  nature  of  the  des- 
perate position  to  Dubois,  and  the  three  men  discussed 
it  anxiously  with  many  secret  misgivings,  while  Gabrielle 
went  to  Babillon's  wife,  Gerard  urging  her  to  seek  rest. 

"  I  doubt  we  should  do  better  to  seek  refuge  at  Malin- 
court,"  was  Dubois'  judgment.  "  This  is  a  scheme  for 
men,  and  not  for  a  dainty  girl  like  Mademoiselle  de 
Malincourt." 

"  We  can  but  try  it,"  was  Gerard's  reply. 

Babillon  was  absent  so  long  that  all  began  to  grow 
uneasy;  but  when  he  came  he  explained  that  he  had  had 
much  to  do,  and  he  brought  less  cheerless  news. 

"  I  have  been  to  the  spot,  monsieur,  and  found,  as  I 
hoped,  that  it  is  scarcely  watched  at  all.  I  have  got  help, 
too.  A  man  on  whom  I  can  rely  as  on  myself,  a  fisher- 
man, has  his  boat  on  the  other  bank  of  the  river  some  dis- 
tance from  the  spot,  and  he  will  help  us.  He  scaled  the 
wall  while  I  was  by  and  swam  the  river  without  being 
seen,  and  he  will  have  his  boat  moored  ready  for  us 
right  under  the  place  where  we  shall  leave.  I  hope  now 
that  we  shall  win  the  way  out." 

"  Are  there  many  soldiers  abroad  ?  "  asked  Dubois. 

"  Yes,  monsieur,  search  parties,  I  learnt,  hunting  for 
some  of  your  prisoners,  friend  Pierre,  who  have  escaped 
from  the  Castle.  But  they  will  not  trouble  us,"  answered 
Babillon.  "  I  can  lead  you  by  ways  they  will  never  sus- 
pect.   Have  no  fear  on  that  score." 


A    DASH    FOR   THE   WALLS        235 

Gabrielle  was  roused,  and  after  some  words  of  caution 
from  their  guide  they  set  out,  Babillon  leading  them 
through  narrow  devious  streets  and  alleys  where  they  met 
no  one. 

"  We  are  close  to  the  spot  now,"  he  said  at  length. 
"  Remain  here  in  the  shadow  and  I  will  go  forward  to 
see  that  all  is  well." 

He  was  absent  some  few  minutes. 

"  All  seems  quiet,  monsieur,"  he  reported  to  Gerard, 
and  they  started  again.  "  The  wall  is  yonder,"  he  said, 
pointing  to  it.  "  I  shall  climb  it  and  fix  the  rope  in 
position,  and  I  need  not  urge  you  to  make  all  haste  in 
following  and  to  keep  silent." 

They  watched  him  dart  across  the  intervening  space 
at  top  speed,  stand  for  a  moment  in  the  deep  shadow  of 
the  wall,  and  then  begin  the  ascent.  Gabrielle's  heart 
began  to  beat  fast  with  excitement  and  hope,  and  even 
the  men's  pulses  quickened  as  his  black  shadow  crept 
nearer  and  nearer  to  the  parapet  at  the  top. 

"What  is  he  doing?"  whispered  Gabrielle;  for 
Babillon  stopped  suddenly  and  flattened  himself  against 
the  black  wall. 

"  It  is  nothing,"  answered  Gerard.  "  See,  his  head 
shows  above  the  top  now.  He  is  as  cautious  as  he  is 
daring,  and  does  but  seek  to  make  sure  all  is  well.  Wait, 
he  sees  some  one.  Ah,  and  he  has  been  seen,  too!"  he 
exclaimed,  catching  his  breath.  The  call  of  one  man  to 
another  came  to  their  ears,  and  the  figures  of  two  soldiers 
running  toward  Babillon  were  silhouetted  against  the 
sky  line. 

At  the  same  moment  a  jingle  of  arms  was  heard  close 
at  hand. 

"  One  of  the  search  parties,"  said  Dubois  in  a  deep 
undertone. 

At  that  moment  they  saw  Babillon  spring  on  to  the 
parapet,  rush  at  one  of  the  soldiers,  and  deal  him  a  blow 


^S6        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

which  felled  him  to  the  ground.  Then  seizing  his  musket 
he  turned  upon  the  man's  comrade.  But  the  latter,  in- 
stead of  staying  to  meet  the  attack,  fired  his  musket  to 
rouse  the  alarm,  and  in  an  instant  Babillon  had  fastened 
the  rope  to  the  parapet  and  came  sliding  to  the  ground 

But  the  search  party  now  came  up  at  the  run,  at- 
tracted by  the  gunshot,  and  just  as  two  of  them  dashed 
off  to  intercept  Babillon  the  leader  caught  sight  of  Gerard 
and  Dubois,  who  had  stepped  forward  incautiously  into 
the  moonlight  in  their  anxiety  at  their  guide's  peril. 

"  Who  goes  there  ?  "  he  challenged,  and  in  a  moment 
the  guns  of  the  rest  of  the  soldiers  were  levelled  point 
blank  at  them. 


CHAPTER  XXI 


AT   MALINCOURT   AGAIN 


WE  can't  let  him  be  taken,  Dubois,  after  what  he 
has  done,"  said  Gerard  under  his  breath. 
"  By   Heaven,   I   should   think  not.     They 
are  only  five  to  four,  and  we  have  them  divided." 

"  Feign  a  surrender,"  answered  Gerard,  and  they 
walked  calmly  up  to  the  soldiers,  Pierre  following. 

"  What  is  it,  sergeant  ?  "  said  Dubois,  in  a  quiet  tone 
of  authority. 

"  Ho,  it's  you  again  and  Master  Pierre,  is  it  ?  You 
don't  fool  me  twice  with  your  tale  of  captain.  You  are 
our  prisoners  now."  It  was  the  sergeant,  Vauban,  whoni 
Dubois  had  knocked  down  in  the  escape  from  the  Castle, 
and  his  tone  betokened  intense  satisfaction. 

"  You  mutinous  dog !  do  you  dare  to  speak  to  me  like 
that  ?  "  was  Dubois'  reply  in  a  voice  of  thunder. 

"  Mutiny  or  no  mutiny,  you  will  come  with  us  and 
explain  to  the  Governor.  If  you're  not  one  of  the  escaped 
prisoners,  I'm  no  man." 

"  There  can  be  no  objection  to  that,  monsieur,"  said 
Gerard  quietly  to  Dubois. 

"  And  who  are  you  ?  "  demanded  the  sergeant  roughly. 
"  With  so  many  of  your  cursed  brood  in  the  city,  there's 
no  room  for  honest  men." 

"  Rough  words  are  no  proof  of  honesty,  my  friend," 
answered  Gerard  so  quietly  that  the  man  had  no  inkling 
of  his  intention. 

237 


238        A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  A  little  change  of  language  will  do  your  holy  ears 
good,  if  you  are  a  monk,"  was  the  answer, 

"  Where  do  you  wish  to  take  us  ?  " 

"  Why,  to  the  Governor." 

"  Come,  then,"  said  Gerard  in  a  tone  of  almost  sub- 
missive readiness. 

"  Have  they  caught  the  rascal  yet,  Louis  ?  "  asked  the 
sergeant,  and  the  man  addressed  turned  his  head  to  look. 

"  Now,"  cried  Gerard,  and  on  the  instant  hurled  him- 
self on  the  sergeant,  who  was  taken  entirely  by  sur- 
prise. Gerard  wrenched  his  musket  from  him  and 
clubbing  it,  knocked  him  senseless  to  the  ground.  Dubois, 
divining  Gerard's  intention,  had  edged  close  to  the  second 
man  and  dealt  with  him  in  much  the  same  fashion, 
Avhile  Pierre  engaged  the  third. 

The  struggle  lasted  scarcely  more  than  a  few  seconds, 
and  as  soon  as  it  was  over,  Gerard  and  Dubois  ran  to 
the  assistance  of  Babillon,  whom  the  soldiers  had 
captured. 

Seeing  help  coming,  they  released  him  and  levelled 
their  muskets  at  the  onrushing  men.  But  Babillon  with 
ready  wit  jostled  one  against  the  other  so  that  the  shots 
were  fired  in  the  air. 

The  rest  was  easy.  The  two  men  broke  and  fled,  but 
were  soon  caught  and  treated  like  the  rest  of  the  party, 
in  order  to  prevent  the  danger  of  pursuit. 

"  Now  for  the  wall,"  said  Gerard. 

"  It  is  impossible,  monsieur.  The  boat  must  have  been 
seen,  and  the  further  bank  of  the  river  is  alive  with  sol- 
diers," said  Babillon,  "  and  they  have  seized  the  boat.  It 
was  that  made  me  return." 

"  We  must  get  away,  then.  Those  shots  will  soon 
bring  a  whole  company  to  the  spot.  Did  the  men  know 
you,  Babillon?" 

"  No,  monsieur." 

"  Good !  then  lead  us  back  to  your  house.     You  have 


AT    MALINCOURT   AGAIN         239 

served  us  magnificently,  my  good  friend;  and  that  last 
trick  of  yours  may  have  saved  our  lives." 

They  ran  to  Gabrielle  and  explained  the  failure  of  the 
venture,  and  started  to  return  to  Babillon's. 

It  was  a  galling  disappointment,  but  neither  Gerard  nor 
Dubois  was  likely  to  waste  time  in  fruitless  repining; 
and  by  the  time  they  reached  Babillon's  house,  both  had 
thought  their  way  to  the  same  decision.  They  must 
make  for  Malincourt. 

Gabrielle  wished  it  also. 

"  The  two  points  are — what  has  happened  there,  and 
can  we  hope  to  reach  there  safely  ?  "  said  Gerard,  as  he 
and  Dubois  sat  discussing  it,  Gabrielle  having  again  gone 
to  seek  rest. 

"  I  would  that  I  had  been  in  the  cell  with  the  Gov- 
ernor," growled  Dubois.  "  It  would  have  gone  hard 
with  me  if  I  had  not  found  a  way  to  end  his  power  to 
do  us  more  evil." 

"  We  are  soldiers,  Dubois,"  said  Gerard. 

"  We  shan't  be  soldiers  long  if  the  Tiger  can  get  his 
way  with  us." 

"  My  cousin  will  be  up  in  forty-eight  hours." 

"  Forty-eight  minutes  may  suffice  for  what  he  may 
do  if  he  but  gets  his  hand  on  us." 

"  He  will  not  dare  to  use  violence  to  me,"  said  Gerard. 
"  His  head  would  pay  for  it." 

"  But  it  wouldn't  put  either  yours  or  mine  back  on  our 
shoulders,  my  lord,  if  he'd  struck  them  off  first.  And  as 
for  daring — what  won't  a  madman  dare?  And  a  mad- 
man he  is.  My  advice  is  to  keep  out  of  his  clutches  so 
long  as  we  can." 

"  And  what  we  have  to  consider  is  the  best  way  of 
doing  it.  Tell  me,  Babillon,  what  chance  have  we  of 
reaching  Malincourt  undiscovered,  and  what  is  the 
distance  ?  " 

"  Twenty  minutes  would  take  us  there,  could  we  go 


MO        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

direct,  monsieur;  but  the  road  is  a  very  open  one,  and 

I "  he  finished  the  sentence  with  a  doubting  shake 

of  the  head. 

"  Is  there  no  other  road  ?  " 

"  Yes,  monsieur,  but  it  trebles  the  distance ;  and  miladi 
is  already  overwrought." 

"  And  the  devil  of  it  is  that  we  don't  know  what  we 
should  find  when  we  get  there,"  said  Dubois.  "  Mademoi- 
selle can't  tramp  the  city  all  night.  I  have  a  thought. 
Let  me  go  and  find  out  what  is  passing  there,  and  smell 
.  out  the  chances  of  safety.  Could  the  rest  lie  safe  here, 
think  you  ?  "  he  asked  Babillon. 

"  For  the  night,  I  should  think,  yes,"  was  the  reply. 
"  But  I  can  best  go.  I  could  get  into  the  house  and  carry 
any  message." 

"  You  can  guide  me,"  said  Dubois,  "  and  get  me  a 
workman's  blouse.  It  is  best  so,"  he  added  to  Gerard. 
"If  Pascal  is  there  holding  the  house,  I  can  gauge  the 
chances  of  our  getting  in  and  arrange  for  him  to  send 
out  to  meet  us.     What  say  you  ?  " 

"  I  could  do  it  all  and  better  alone,  messieurs,"  urged 
Babillon.  "  One  can  get  through  where  two  may  well 
be  stopped.  And  if  they  were  to  arrest  me,  I  am  known 
to  be  frequently  at  Malincourt.  I  have  a  daughter  there 
in  miladi's  service ;  and  if  I  were  seen  every  one  would 
deem  it  but  natural  for  me  to  be  anxious  for  her  at  such 
a  time." 

"  There  is  wit  in  what  he  says,  Dubois." 

"  True,"  he  assented,  and  then  murmured,  "  but  there 
is  little  to  please  my  wit  in  sitting  inactive  here." 

"  Shall  I  cry  you  patience,  good  friend  ?    Go,  Babillon, 

and  make  all  speed,"  decided  Gerard.    "  It  will  not  be  long 

now  before  the  dawn  breaks,  and  we  must  be  inside 

the  house  while  it  is  yet  dark,  if  we  are  to  get  there 

,  at  all." 

"  If  all  goes  well,  an  hour  will  see  me  back." 


AT    MALINCOURT   AGAIN         241 

**  He  is  a  shrewd,  nimble-witted  fellow,"  said  Gerard 
when  the  man  had  left. 

**  And  you  will  be  shrewd,  my  lord,  if  you  fill  the  time 
by  snatching  a  soldier's  nap.     I'll  keep  watch." 

"  By  your  leave,  my  lord,  let  me  watch,"  put  in  Pierre. 
*'  Watching-  is  my  business,"  and  with  that  the  other 
two  lay  down  on  the  floor  and  were  soon  asleep. 

Babillon  was  as  good  as  his  word,  and  in  less  than  an 
hour  and  a  half  he  was  back  and  brought  good  news. 

He  had  seen  Pascal  and  learned  that  the  house  had 
already  been  searched  by  the  Castle  troops,  and  a  small 
body  of  soldiers  left  to  guard  it.  These  Pascal  was 
prepared  to  overpower  at  any  moment.  Babillon  had 
found  the  road  thither  fairly  clear  also  and  had  ascer- 
tained the  best  route  to  take. 

"  In  half  an  hour  at  most  we  can  reach  the  woods  of 
Malincourt,  my  lord,  and  the  captain  will  be  there  with 
a  strong  force  to  meet  us." 

"  Then  we'll  be  off  at  once,"  said  Gerard ;  and  once 
more  Gabrielle  was  roused  and  they  set  forth. 

Misfortune  appeared  to  have  dealt  her  last  blow  at 
them  for  that  night,  in  foiling  the  attempt  to  escape; 
and  under  Babillon's  guidance  they  reached  the  woods 
of  Malincourt  without  mishap. 

"  You  will  come  to  the  maison,  Babillon,"  said  Gabri- 
elle. "  You  may  be  in  danger  in  the  city,  and  you  have 
rendered  us  a  service  I  shall  never  forget." 

"  By  your  leave,  miladi,  I  will  return.  Suspicion  will 
not  fall  my  way ;  but  should  there  be  danger  I  can  then 
seek  your  protection.  Trouble  is  already  in  the  making 
in  the  city,  and  when  the  men  of  Morvaix  learn  how 
your  ladyship  has  been  treated,  I  know  nothing  of  their 
tempers  if  there  be  not  deep  resentment  and  wrath." 

"  A  timely  thought,"  interposed  Dubois,  overhearing 
this.  "  A  diversion  in  the  town  would  help  us  much  at 
Malincourt." 


242        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  But  it  might  lead  to  violence  and  perhaps  to  blood- 
shed," said  Gabrielle.  "  I  would  not  have  that  on  my 
account." 

"  By  your  leave,  I  would  rather  return,"  repeated 
Babillon. 

"  How  shall  we  thank  you  ?  "  asked  Gerard. 

"  Miladi's  safety  is  enough  reward  for  any  Morvaix 
man,  my  lord,"  he  answered  sturdily,  and  with  that  he 
turned  and  went. 

"  Such  a  fellow  changes  one's  judgment  of  the  men 
here,"  declared  Dubois. 

"  Ah,  monsieur,  we  have  many  such  men,  true  as  steel 
to  their  friends  and  honest  as  the  daylight,"  replied 
Gabrielle  warmly,  as  they  hurried  on  to  the  house. 

There  was  much  to  be  explained  on  both  sides,  and 
when  Gerard  had  told  Pascal  briefly  how  things  had 
gone  with  them,  he  questioned  him  as  to  his  doings. 

"  It's  a  wonder  we  were  not  trapped  at  the  Castle. 
But  no  one  seems  to  have  looked  for  an  escape,  and  we 
had  very  little  difficulty  in  gaining  admission  to  the 
courtyard.  We  were  taken  for  a  party  of  the  new 
troops.  Had  you  come,  we  should  have  got  away  with- 
out suspicion,  for  I  had  the  sentries  safe.  But  when  I 
saw  the  rope  ladder  pulled  up  back  to  the  cell,  I  knew 
something  must  have  miscarried,  and  despatched  one  of 
the  men  to  those  whom  I  had  in  waiting  outside  the 
v/alls,  telling  them  to  creep  as  close  as  they  dared." 

"  I  see  it,"  exclaimed  Dubois. 

"  Yes,  it  saved  us  from  capture.  We  were  waiting  in 
the  shadow  of  the  wall,  with  a  growing  impatience  I 
cannot  describe,  when  the  fresh  guard  turned  out  and 
came  on  us.  The  officer  at  first  mistook  us  for  his  own 
men  and  was  more  angry  than  suspicious ;  but  he  soon 
saw  something  was  amiss  and  was  for  arresting  the  whole 
of  us  there  and  then.  There  was  nothing  for  it  but  to 
rush  through  him.    They  fired  a  volley  for  assistance  and 


AT    MALINCOURT   AGAIN         243 

attacked  us ;  and  soon  a  swarm  of  men  came  rushing  out 
of  the  Castle.  But  we  managed  to  draw  off  to  the  breach 
in  the  wall,  and  when  they  saw  we  were  in  force  they 
stopped  where  they  were — to  my  fellows'  disappointment. 
And  that's  all." 

"  But  what  did  you  do  next  ?  ** 

"  Then  there  came  a  deuce  of  a  commotion  in  the 
Castle,  caused,  as  I  judged,  by  the  fact  that  you  had 
escaped  some  other  way  and  the  fact  had  been  discovered. 
So  I  drew  off  and  made  my  way  here.  I  was  sorely 
puzzled,  on  my  word.  I  heard  you  had  not  come  to 
Malincourt,  and  I  posted  the  men  in  the  woods.  I  judged 
that  Malincourt  would  be  the  first  place  to  be  searched 
for  you,  and  thought  that  if  we  could  let  the  Governor 
feel  satisfied  no  one  was  here,  it  might  make  it  all  the 
safer  as  a  hiding-place  when  you  did  come ;  whereas,  had 
I  resisted  the  search,  I  should  only  have  brought  his 
troops  swarming  here  and  so  have  made  it  impossible  for 
you  to  get  in  at  all,  besides  subjecting  the  house  to  be 
knocked  about  for  no  good." 

"  It  was  cleverly  thought,  Pascal,"  said  Gerard,  with 
a  smile. 

"  It  was  more  a  lucky  guess  than  aught  else,  but  the 
guess  was  right.  His  men  came  and  satisfied  themselves 
you  were  not  here  and  left  a  guard  behind  strong 
enough  to  overawe  the  household,  but  weak  enough  for 
me  to  deal  with  in  a  few  moments.  I  was  growing 
desperate  at  the  approach  of  daylight  and  still  no  news 
of  you,  when  that  good  fellow,  Babillon,  who  had  helped 
me  before  as  it  turns  out,  arrived  with  your  message. 
Then  I  had  up  a  force  strong  enough  to  put  the  Gov- 
ernor's guard  in  the  cellars  and  came  to  meet  you." 

"  Can  we  hold  the  house  ?  "  asked  Dubois  quickly. 

"  The  walls  are  strong  and  we  have  close  upon  a  hun- 
dred men,  but "  and  he  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  But  what?  "  was  Gerard's  eager  answer. 


244        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  I  would  give  half  the  men  and  choose  a  weaker 
house  for  more  arms  and  powder." 

The  other  two  were  silent  for  a  while  at  this  ominous 
reply. 

"  Do  you  mean  we  can't  stand  our  ground  even  for 
the  hours  until  my  cousin  can  arrive  ?  " 

"  We  are  men  and  can  try.  But  it  depends  on  the 
Governor — if  he  learns  that  you  are  here,  and  when  he 
learns  it,  and  what  he  does  when  he  knows." 

"  He  thinks  we  are  in  hiding  in  the  city.  We  had  a 
brush  with  a  search  party  near  the  walls,  and  they  will 
soon  carry  the  news  to  the  Castle." 

"  Let  us  pray  that  he  remains  in  that  belief ;  for  if  he 
swoops  down  on  this  place  with  a  strong  force  it  will  be 
an  ugly  business.  We  could  not  hope  to  resist  for  many 
hours." 

"  Let  us  go  round  and  see,  Dubois,"  said  Gerard. 

Dubois  and  Pascal  went  out  and  Gerard  stayed  a 
moment  with  Gabrielle,  who  had  listened  with  intense 
interest  to  the  discussion. 

So  even  Malincourt  is  not  to  be  a  refuge,  Gerard,'* 
she  said. 

"  We  are  far  from  beaten  yet.     Have  courage." 

"  I  have  courage ;  but  how  bitterly  I  regret  that  mo- 
ment of  cowardice  when  I  could  not  face  that  descent 
with  you." 

"  It  would  have  made  no  difference.  The  watch  was 
already  set  on  the  city  walls  and  we  should  have  come 
straight  here  with  Pascal — when  matters  would  have 
been  at  an  even  worse  pass.  We  have  gained  hours  that 
may  prove  invaluable." 

"  You  are  brave  to  be  so  hopeful." 

"If  it  comes  to  regrets,  Gabrielle,  it  is  I  who  am  to 
blame.  Had  I  taken  Dubois'  bold  counsels  and  tried 
to  seize  the  Castle  when  the  Governor  was  in  my  power, 
I  believe  it  would  have  been  best.     But  at  that  rate,  I 


"GOD  BLESS  YOU,  GABRIELLE,  FOR  THIS  FAITH 
OF   YOURS" 


AT    MALINCOURT   AGAIN         245 

may  as  well  go  farther  back  to  the  mad  thing  T  did  in 
coming  to  Morvaix  in  the  way  I  chose." 

"  True — all  might  have  been  very  diflFerent,"  she  said, 
and  glanced  up  and  down  again,  and  then  smiled  as 
she  added,  "  And  would  you  have  me  regret  that  too?  " 

"  I  did  not  mean  that,"  he  said  quickly,  taking  her 
hand. 

"  I  care  not  what  happens,"  she  answered  softly. 

*'  Nor  the  trouble  and  danger  I  have  brought  to  you?  " 

"  There  is  something  other  than  danger  or  trouble, 
Gerard ;  it  is  of  that  I  think.  At  this  danger  we  shall 
smile  together  when  it  is  over ;  and  I  know  you  will  find 
a  way  to  safety." 

"  Which  means  that  I  had  better  hurry  after  Dubois 
and  Pascal,"  and  he  smiled  again, 

"  Nay,  it  means  rather  my  unbounded  trust  in  you.  So 
confident  am  I,  that  I  am  going  to  be  quite  prosaic  and 
seek  rest.    And  I  shall  sleep,  secure  in  my  faith  in  you." 

"  God  bless  you,  Gabrielle,  for  this  faith  of  yours,"  he 
said,  drawing  her  to  him  and  kissing  her. 

"  And  God  bless  you,  my  Gerard,  for  all  you  are  to 
me. 

It  was  a  long  and  anxious  conference  that  followed. 
The  men  that  formed  their  guard  were  picked  and 
seasoned  soldiers  who  had  fought  under  Gerard  in  more 
than  one  tough  campaign ;  his  to  a  man,  heart  and  soul, 
ready  to  do  anything  at  his  bidding,  willing  to  lay  down 
their  lives  in  his  cause,  and  burning  with  resentment  at 
the  treatment  he  had  suffered. 

They  were  glad  to  have  laid  aside  now  the  monkish 
garb  and  to  scent  the  prospect  of  a  fight ;  and  he  found 
them  grouped  together  laughing  and  jesting  in  the  in- 
tervals of  abusing  the  Governor. 

Had  all  else  been  as  reliable  as  his  men,  he  would 
have  had  no  doubt  of  the  course  to  take,  and  none  as  to 
the    result.      But    Pascal's    fears    were    only    too    well 


246        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

grounded.  Without  ammunition  the  house  was  little 
better  than  at  the  mercy  of  the  Governor  should  he  send 
a  strong  force  to  attack  it.  And  they  had  neither  enough 
muskets  to  arm  the  men,  nor  enough  powder  for  the 
scanty  guns. 

"  At  the  last  gasp  we  shall  have  to  take  the  chance 
of  a  fight,  of  course,"  he  said  when  he  had  completed  his 
inspection ;  "  and  the  fighting  must  be  done  from  the 
north  wing  of  the  house.  But  we  must  first  exhaust 
every  other  means." 

"  In  that  wing  we  could  keep  them  at  bay  for  a  month 
if  it  were  only  hand  to  hand  work ;  but  the  Governor 
has  cannon,"  said  Dubois. 

"  We  must  hope  that  the  news  of  our  presence  does 
not  reach  him  until  too  late.  See  to  it  that  nothing  about 
the  place  raises  suspicions,  and  if  any  messengers  come 
from  him  let  them  enter  the  house  and  be  detained." 

"  Would  God  he  would  come  himself,"  exclaimed 
Pascal. 

"  Ah,  it's  easy  to  '  would  God '  a  good  many  things," 
growled  Dubois.  "  You  had  better  rest,  my  lord,  at  any 
rate  until  the  day  is  warmed.  I'll  have  you  called  at  the 
slightest  sign  of  need.  You  may  want  all  your  strength 
for  the  morrow's  work.  We'll  set  the  watch  and  let  the 
men  sleep  too,  Pascal.  They'll  fight  the  better  for  it,  if 
it  has  to  come  to  fighting  in  the  end." 

The  two  left  him  then,  and  as  they  stood  in  the  great 
hall  Pascal  said — 

"  You  mind  my  words  in  the  market  place,  Dubois, 
that  a  woman  had  to  be  reckoned  with  now.  He  has  the 
fever  badly.    I  know  the  symptoms." 

"  You  ought  to,  you've  had  it  yourself  often  enough," 
returned  Dubois. 

"  And  shall  again,  I  hope.  'Tis  a  sweet  malady,  you 
old  sour-heart ;  but  it  doesn't  help  a  man  to  act ;  and 
it  won't  help  us  now.    Do  you  follow  me  ?  " 


AT    MALINCOURT   AGAIN         247 

"  Have  I  no  eyes  ?  I  put  a  plan  to  him  to-day — to 
hold  this  Governor  a  prisoner  when  we  had  him  safe, 
and  seize  the  Castle  itself.  A  week  ago  he  would  have 
thought  of  it  for  himself,  but  to-day  he  would  scarcely 
hear  it  mentioned.  He  only  hesitated  out  of  fear  for 
her.    Love's  best  for  a  soldier  when  it  crosses  him." 

"  She's  a  sweet  and  lovely  creature ;  were  his  case 
mine  I  should  feel  the  same." 

"  I  don't  gainsay  it,  but  I've  been  married,"  Dubois 
answered  drily,  with  a  short  grim  laugh. 

"  And  that  has  made  you  the  cynic  you  are,  eh  ?  I'm 
wiser  than  you,  Dubois.  I  stop  short  of  the  plunge  into 
the  abyss  of  disillusion ;  it's  the  easier  side  to  laugh  on. 
But  now  we  must  do  something." 

"  There'll  be  plenty  doing  before  the  day  ends." 

"  And  I  propose  to  find  out  what  is  to  happen.  I'm 
going  to  the  Castle  to  spy  out  things." 

"  You'll  take  your  life  in  your  hands." 

"  So  long  as  it  stops  in  mine,  what  matters  ?  I  can  go 
as  one  of  the  new  soldiers  and  take  my  chance.  Better 
that  than  taking  cold  here  waiting  for  something  to 
happen." 

"  It's  a  dare-devil  step,  but  it's  a  good  one,"  and  after 
discussing  it  earnestly  they  agreed  upon  it  and  agreed 
also  not  to  mention  it  to  Gerard,  and  Pascal  was  soon 
on  his  way. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

PASCAL    PLAYS    SPY 

PASCAL  dressed  himself  in  the  uniform  of  one  of 
the  Castle  troopers,  and  his  intention  was  to  pass 
as  a  soldier  who  had  been  merrymaking  in  the 
city  and,  having  just  heard  of  the  excitement  at  the 
Castle,  was  hurrying  thither  to  report  himself. 

His  aim  was  first  to  get  into  the  Castle,  then  to  find 
the  Bourbon  commander,  Captain  Bassot,  and  explain 
the  position  at  Malincourt,  and  to  learn  such  news  of  the 
Governor's  intentions  as  he  could,  and  arrange  with  the 
captain  some  little  plan  of  action. 

He  had  but  little  fear  of  discovery  in  his  soldier's 
dress.  Scarcely  any  one  in  the  Castle  knew  him,  and 
even  if  the  Castle  men  failed  to  recognize  him  as  one  of 
the  new  troops,  it  would  be  no  serious  matter,  because 
the  captain,  when  consulted,  would  soon  set  that  right. 

As  for  the  danger,  it  was  to  his  liking.  He  was  brave 
to  the  verge  of  recklessness,  and  the  thought  of  tapping 
the  Governor's  plans  under  his  very  nose  as  it  were, 
pleased  him  hugely. 

As  he  was  indifferent  about  encountering  any  of  the 
search  parties  who  were  patrolling  the  city,  he  made  no 
effort  at  concealment,  and  covered  the  distance  between 
Malincourt  and  the  Castle  at  a  quick  speed,  thinking  over 
the  niatter  and  laughing  at  the  venture  as  a  kind  of 
pleasure  jaunt. 

He  resolved  to  make  for  the  main  entrance  of  the 
Castle,  and  had  reached  within  short  distance  of  it  when 
he  encountered  one  of  the  patrols.  He  was  hurrying 
by,  but  the  man  in  command  challenged  him. 

248 


PASCAL    PLAYS   SPY  249 

"  Ho,  there !    Who  are  you  and  where  are  you  going  ?  " 

"  To  a  mess  of  devil's  broth  I  expect,  probably  to 
arrest.  I've  just  heard  hell's  loose  at  the  Castle,  and 
I'm  going  for  my  share." 

"Who  are  you?" 

"  Not  one  of  your  men,  sergeant.  Ambroise  Tourelle.. 
of  Captain  Bassot's  command." 

"  What  were  you  doing  in  the  city  ?  " 

"  Just  seeing  how  you  enjoy  yourselves  in  Morvaix. 
You  don't  manage  badly.    Is  the  gate  open  ?  " 

"  Don't  you  know  the  news  ?  Some  prisoners  have 
broken  out  and  half  killed  the  Governor.  The  whole  gar- 
rison's in  arms.  You  may  look  for  a  warm  welcome  if 
old  Tiger  hears  you've  been  absent." 

"  Here's  deafness  to  him,  then,"  answered  Pascal  with 
a  laugh.     "  I'll  hurry  on." 

"  I'll  send  a  man  back  with  you  lest  you  lose  your 
way,"  returned  the  sergeant  drily,  and  detailed  one  for 
the  purpose. 

*'  Did  you  say  you're  one  of  the  new  lot?  "  asked  the 
soldier,  as  they  went  to  the  Castle.  "  I  don't  know 
your  face." 

"  Yet  it's  one  your  Morvaix  girls  will  know  soon,  I 
warrant,"  laughed  Pascal.  "It's  more  to  the  matter  if 
you  know  what  the  punishment  is  for  being  out  of  the 
Castle  without  leave." 

"  It  mayn't  be  noticed  at  such  a  time,  especially  as 
you're  a  new  man.  If  yon  take  my  advice  you'll  go 
straight  to  your  captain  and  just  tell  him  the  truth." 

"  Yes,  but  where  the  devil  shall  I  find  him  ?  To  hell 
with  the  liquor  and  the  women,  say  I ;  they  get  us  into 
all  the   troubles." 

"  Ah,  and  leave  us  to  scramble  out  for  ourselves. 
I  know  it." 

"  I  take  to  you,  friend ;  we  must  see  more  of  one  an- 
other," said  Pascal,  with  a  genial  laugh. 


250        A   COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

"  I  could  show  you  some  things  in  Morvaix,"  chuckled 
the  soldier.    "  Where  have  you  been  to-night  ?  " 

"  The  devil  seize  me  if  I  know,  but  you  breed  some 
pretty  faces  in  this  city  of  yours.  Do  you  know  a  blue- 
eyed  wench  named  Marguerite  ? "  and  Pascal  went  on 
to  invent  a  story  for  his  companion's  benefit,  making  him 
laugh  and  swear  that  Pascal  was  a  man  after  his  own 
heart. 

As  they  approached  the  Castle  gates  Pascal  urged  the 
soldier  to  go  in  with  him  and  find  Captain  Bassot,  and 
in  this  way  he  passed  the  gate  and  entered  the  guard- 
room without  difRculty  or  question. 

But  the  captain  could  not  be  found,  and,  as  his  com- 
panion had  to  leave  again  to  hurry  after  his  party,  they 
separated  with  mutual  promises  to  meet  again,  and 
Pascal  was  left  to  his  own  devices. 

He  stayed  some  time  in  the  guard-room,  and  from  the 
talk  of  the  men  he  ascertained  that  the  soldiers  were 
patrolling  Morvaix  on  foot  and  that  mounted  men  in 
great  numbers  had  been  despatched  to  scour  the  country 
round,  lest  the  fugitives  should  have  escaped  from  the 
city. 

No  one  took  any  notice  of  him  beyond  casting  an 
occasional  glance  of  curiosity  in  his  direction,  and  find- 
ing himself  thus  free  to  go  where  he  would,  he  left  the 
guard-room  and  made  his  way  into  the  Castle  in  search 
of  his  captain. 

The  excitement  had  largely  subsided  under  the  strict 
military  discipline,  and  so  many  of  the  troops  had  been 
despatched  on  the  work  of  search  that  he  found  the 
lower  rooms  of  the  Castle  comparatively  empty.  The 
few  persons  he  met  he  asked  for  Captain  Bassot,  for 
whom  he  now  said  he  had  news. 

He  was  sent  fruitlessly  in  various  directions,  and  at 
last  when  passing  through  one  of  the  corridors  he  met 
Lucette.     She  v.as  hurrying  by  with  bent  head  and  did 


PASCAL    PLAYS   SPY  251 

not  see  him,  so  with  a  glance  to  make  sure  they  were 
alone,  he  accosted  her. 

**  Your  pardon,  mademoiselle,  can  you  tell  me  where  I 
can  find  Captain  Bassot  ?  " 

"  No,  monsieur,"  she  answered,  and  glancing  up  as 
she  recognized  him.    "  You  ?  "  she  exclaimed. 

"  I'm  glad  they  are  no  other  than  your  bright  eyes 
that  see  me,  mademoiselle,"  he  answered  smiling. 

*'  We  must  not  speak  here.  Follow  me,"  and  she 
hurried  back  along  the  corridor  until  she  came  to  a  low 
doorway,  through  which  she  passed,  giving  a  quick 
glance  about  to  see  that  no  one  was  observing  her. 

Pascal  followed  and  found  himself  in  a  small  ante- 
chamber bare  of  furniture  and  overlooking  the  court- 
yard. 

"  Tell  me  the  news,  monsieur,"  urged  Lucette.  "  This 
suspense  is  killing.  Where  is  Mademoiselle  de  Malin- 
coMrt?" 

"  First  tell  me  why  I  find  you  here,"  he  said,  cau- 
tiously. 

"  Ah,  you  suspect  even  me,"  she  answered  quickly, 
with  some  indignation. 

"  Suspect  is  far  too  strong  a  word,  but  I  am  curious, 
I  admit." 

"  You  are  grossly  unjust.  I  am  a  prisoner.  After 
I  saw  you  for  the  last  time  last  night,  I  came  here  to  be 
with  Gabrielle,  and  was  with  the  Duchess  awaiting  her 
return  from  the  prison,  when  the  escape  of  the  prisoners 
was  discovered ;  and  since  then  I  have  been  in  a  fever 
of  suspense  to  know  that  she  is  safe  and  where  she  is. 
The  Duke  was  like  a  madman.  He  came  to  the  Duchess' 
apartments  in  search  of  Gabrielle,  and  raged  like  a  fiend 
incarnate  at  not  finding  her.  I  thought  he  would  have 
flung  us  all  into  prison ;  and  he  threatened  me  with  the 
rack  if  I  did  not  tell  him  where  Gabrielle  was." 

"  He  is  a  chivalrous  gentleman,"  said  Pascal. 


252        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  He  told  us  his  life  had  been  attempted,  charged  the 
Duchess  with  having  been  a  party  to  the  escape,  vowed 
that  he  would  have  the  truth  out  of  us  and  make  us 
pay  bitterly  in  his  revenge.  The  Duchess  is  a  noble 
woman  and  showed  splendid  courage  and  dignity ;  but 
oh,  monsieur,  I  was  never  so  frightened  in  my  life." 

"  But  he  has  not  actually  ill-treated  you ;  surely,  lie 
is  not  so  base  as  that." 

"  He  vows  that  unless  the  prisoners  and  Gabrielle  are 
in  his  hands  within  twenty-four  hours  he  will  put  me 
to  the  question ;  and  he  ordered  me  not  to  leave  the 
Castle  and  placed  me  in  charge  of  one  of  his  own  officers. 
But  he  shall  kill  me  before  I  will  say  a  word." 

"  You  shall  do  better  than  that,  mademoiselle ;  you 
shall  leave  the  Castle.     But  where  is  your  gaoler  ?  " 

The  suspicion  of  a  smile  hovered  about  her  lips  for  a 
moment,  and  her  eyes  lighted  as  she  answered — 

"  I  will  tell  you  that  directly,  monsieur.  When  the 
Duke  had  terrified  us  in  this  fashion  he  called  in  his 
men,  and  actually  had  the  whole  apartments  of  the 
Duchess  searched.  Oh,  it  was  shameful!  Even  the 
rough  soldiers  themselves  were  ashamed  of  their  task, 
and  hurried  it.  And  when  he  found  nothing,  there  being 
nothing  to  find,  he  grew  even  more  violent,  and  taunted 
and  insulted  that  noble  woman  till  my  heart  ached  for 
her  and  my  blood  boiled  at  his  cowardice  and  brutality. 
And  when  at  last  he  left  us,  it  was  only  to  send  message 
after  message  telling  of  the  steps  he  had  taken  to  re- 
capture the  prisoners ;  with  lie  after  lie ;  first  that  they 
had  been  taken,  then  that  they  were  dead — any  tale  which 
could  serve  to  frighten  us,  coward  that  he  is.  But  I  have 
managed  to  learn  the  truth  in  spite  of  him,  monsieur." 

"  Through  your  gaoler?  "  he  asked  quickly. 

"  Yes,  monsieur.  He  put  me  in  the  care  of  Antoine 
de  Cavannes,"  said  Lucette  demurely. 

"  And  who  is  Antoine  de  Cavannes  ?  " 


PASCAL    PLAYS    SPY  253' 

"  Ah,  you  do  not  know.  He  used  to  think  I — I  would 
marry  him,  monsieur." 

"  Oh,  those  bright  eyes  of  yours,  mademoiselle," 
laughed  Pascal. 

"  But  he  is  hateful,  this  Antoine.  It  was  he  who  with 
M.  d'Estelle  tried  to  kill  Denys  St.  Jean  when — when 
M.  Gerard  met  Gabrielle." 

"  The  devil  he  is !  and  you  fooled  him,  so  that  he  lets 
you  go  where  you  will  ?  " 

"  He  made  me  promise  not  to  leave  the  Castle,  and  he 
keeps  watch  in  the  courtyard  by  the  gate.    I  was  going 
to   him    for   news — the    Duchess    is    almost    dead    with  * 
anxiety." 

"  Tell  me  what  he  has  told  you." 

"  They  think  the  prisoners  have  got  out  of  the  city. 
They  have  searched  Afalincourt  and  found  no  one  there, 
but  have  left  a  guard  in  possession  of  the  house.  They 
do  not  think  that  even  Gabrielle  will  return  there,  and 
believe  either  that  the  prisoners  have  escaped  from  Mor- 
vaix  with  her  or  that  they  are  hiding  in  the  city." 

"  Long  may  they  hold  that  belief !  "  exclaimed  Pascal, 

"  There  have  been  many  arrests,  monsieur.  You  see 
Gabrielle  is  known  to  almost  every  one,  but  M.  Gerard 
and  the  monk  to  very  few ;  so  every  one  who  cannot  be 
recognized  is  arrested  to  be  identified.  At  first  they  were 
brought  here,  but  now  they  are  taken  somewhere  in  the 
city.    Where  are  they,  monsieur  ?  " 

"  At  Malincourt,"  he  replied  readily. 

"  Oh,  and  I  cannot  go  to  Gabrielle  1 "  cried  Lucette 
distressfully. 

"  We  will  see  about  that.  You  are  doing  splendid 
service  here,  but  you  must  not  stay  lest  this  Tiger  should 
seek  to  carry  out  his  threat.  Besides,  Mademoiselle  de 
Malincourt  would  gladly  have  you  with  her.  Could  you 
get  this  lover  of  yours  to  leave  the  Castle  with  you  for 
a  walk,  say  in  the  grove  on  the  way  to  Malincourt  ?  " 


254        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  He  would  take  me  to  Malincourt  itself  if  I  asked  him, 
I  think,"  she  replied  with  the  air  in  which  she  had  re- 
ferred to  Antoine  before ;  and  Pascal  smiled.  "  He 
offered  once,  asking  if  I  did  not  need  some  things  from 
there." 

"  Good !  Be  there  at  noon  at  the  gate  by  the  cedars 
at  the  south  end  of  the  gardens,  and  I  will  see  to  the 
rest.  And  now,  you  had  better  go.  Wait — one  question. 
Do  you  know  aught  of  de  Proballe  ?  " 

"  He  is  with  the  Governor,  and  both  are  away  in  tlie 
city." 

"  And  that  spy  of  his,  Dauban.  When  the  soldiers 
searched  Malincourt  they  found  him  where  I  had  put  him 
in  one  of  the  cellars,  and  carried  him  away  with  them." 

"  He  is  here  in  the  Castle,  monsieur.    I've  seen  him." 

"  The  devil  he  is !  He  must  not  see  me.  Twice  he  has 
slipped  through  my  fingers,  but  it  shall  go  harder  with' 
him  the  third  time.    He  is  dangerous." 

"  He  is  not  dangerous  to  me,  monsieur." 

"  What,  another  ?  "  cried  Pascal,  laughing.  "  Why, 
mademoiselle,  I  begin  to  fear  for  myself." 

"  Monsieur !  "  said  Lucette,  using  her  eyes. 

"You  are  a  witch,  Lucette,  with  those  eyes  of  yours. 
But  if  you  can  get  hold  of  this  Dauban,  lead  him  away 
from  these  lower  rooms  for  an  hour  while  I  am  still 
here,  or  you  may  have  one  admirer  the  less." 

"You  mean — M.  Dauban?"  she  asked  coquettishly. 

"  On  my  soul,  it's  in  your  very  blood,  mademoiselle. 
But  I  am  shot-proof,"  he  laughed,  shrugging  his  shoul- 
ders. 

"  At  noon,  then,  by  the  cedar  gate — that  is  how  we 
call  it." 

"  Yes,  at  the  cedar  gate ;  and  till  then — good  fortune 
to  you." 

With  a  last  coquettish  glance  and  a  smile,  Lucette 
went  to  the  door,  opened  it  cautiously,  peeped  out,  and 
stepped  back  hurriedly. 


PASCAL    PLAYS    SPY  255 

"  Antoine  and  Jacques  Dauban  are  together  at  the  far 
end  of  the  corridor,  monsieur,  coming  this  way.  Have 
a  care,"  she  whispered  hurriedly. 

"  Is  there  a  hiding-place  here  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Alas !  no,  monsieur." 

"  Very  well ;  then  if  they  come  in  some  of  us  will  not 
go  out  again,"  he  answered  coolly,  and  stepping  behind 
the  door  he  loosened  a  knife  he  had  concealed  under  his 
coat.    "  Leave  the  door  open." 

Lucette  stood  where  she  could  not  be  seen  by  any  one 
passing;  and  they  waited  thus  in  suspense  as  the  sound 
of  footsteps  on  the  stones  without  came  nearer.  She 
turned  pale  and  clenched  her  hands  and  began  to  mutter 
a  prayer  as  the  steps  came  close  and  the  murmur  of 
the  two  men  as  they  talked  in  low  tones  reached  their 
ears. 

They  were  discussing  the  one  absorbing  topic — ^the 
prisoners'  escape  and  the  subsequent  events,  and  they 
paused  close  to  the  open  door. 

"  I  tell  you  it  is  not  possible,  Master  Dauban,"  Antoine 
said.  "  There  is  not  a  spot  in  the  walls  ten  yards  wide 
that  has  not  one  or  more  soldiers." 

"  Aye,  now  that  they  are  safely  outside.  Did  they  not 
get  out  of  here  ?  Answer  me  that,  monsieur.  And  if  out 
of  here,  why  not  from  the  bigger  cage?  I  tell  you  they 
are  many  a  league  from  Morvaix  long  ere  this." 

"  But  the  whole  belt  of  country  for  leagues  round  has 
been  scoured  by  our  horse.  And  they  were  away  from 
the  city  within  an  hour  after  the  prisoners  had  fled." 

"  Have  it  as  you  will,  monsieur ;  but  those  who  could 
not  hold  may  be  no  better  at  finding.  A  hen's  egg  would 
be  hard  to  find  hidden  in  this  Castle,  but  not  harder,  me- 
thinks,  than  two  men  and  a  woman  concealed  in  a  belt 
of  country  leagues  wide  and  where  every  man  and  woman 
would  be  their  friend.  I  speak  but  what  my  master 
thinks  and  what  the  Governor  thinks  too." 


1^6        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  Nay,  they  will  be  found  in  Morvaix,  Master  Dauban ; 
and  if  I  were  but  given  leave  I  could  find  them,"  and 
Antoine  laughed  confidently.  "  There  is  one  in  the 
Castle,  in  my  charge,  too,  who  knows  the  secret,  I'll 
wager ;  and  I  am  but  waiting." 

"  There  will  be  a  fat  reward  for  the  man  who  tracks 
them.  I  heard  the  Duke  and  my  master  speak  of  it.  A 
thousand  crowns  will  be  offered :  a  goodly  sum,  but  fifty 
thousand  won't  find  in  Morvaix  what  is  not  there  to 
seek." 

"  A  thousand  crowns !  "  repeated  Antoine  in  a  tone 
of  greed.  "  A  valiant  sum,  in  all  truth,  and  I  know  how 
it  may  be  earned,  and  with  it  my  revenge." 

"  Two  heads  are  better  than  one  in  a  thing  of  this 
kind,  Master  Antoine,"  said  Dauban  cunningly. 

"  But  one  pocket  can  hold  the  reward  and  would  be 
fuller  than  two,  Master  Dauban,"  replied  Antoine  with 
a  laugh,  and  they  passed  on. 

"  There  is  one  in  the  Castle  who  knows  the  secret, 
eh,  Antoine  ?  "  muttered  Lucette  when  they  had  passed 
out  of  earshot.  "  If  I  do  not  read  that  I  am  no  woman," 
and  her  eyes  had  a  light  that  boded  no  good  to  Antoine 
de  Cavannes. 

"  Something  of  the  huckster  in  this  admirer  of  yours, 
mademoiselle,"  laughed  Pascal.  "  He  would  turn  this 
admiration  of  his  for  you  to  a  profit.  You  must  act 
warily,  for  if  he  suspects  the  object  of  your  visit  to 
Malincourt  he  may  get  the  tidings  to  the  Duke." 

"  You  may  trust  me,  monsieur,"  said  Lucette  con- 
fidently. 

"  This  Dauban,  too.  You  heard  how  he  pricked  his 
€ars  at  what  was  said.  Mark  me,  he  will  watch  your 
Antoine,  or  I  am  no  reader  of  a  man's  voice.  And  he  is 
a  born  spy." 

''Be  at  hand  at  the  cedar  gate  at  the  hour  you  named, 
and  maybe  I  will  bring  them  both,  monsieur,"  and  with 
ihat  she  peeped  out  cautiously  and  then  sped  away. 


PASCAL    PLAYS    SPY  257 

Pascal  waited  a  few  seconds  and  then  sauntered  back 
in  the  direction  of  the  gate.  He  had  learned  enough  and 
was  anxious  to  get  away.  As  he  crossed  the  courtyard 
luck  favoured  him:  Captain  Bassot  with  another  officer 
came  out  of  his  quarters. 

"  I  have  to  report  myself,  captain,"  said  Pascal,  with 
a  salute. 

"  What  madcap  folly  now  ?  "  said  the  captain  sternly, 
repressing  astonishment  at  seeing  Pascal. 

'*  Nothing  serious  this  time,  captain." 

"  Well,  let  me  hear  it,"  and  with  an  excuse  to  the 
officer  he  turned  aside  with  Pascal.  "  In  the  name  of 
the  saints,  why  do  you  venture  here  ?  How  is  it  with  the 
young  lord  Gerard  ?  " 

"  All  well,  so  far.  Housed  safely  at  Malincourt  yon- 
der, where,  had  we  but  powder,  we  could  hold  out  jigainst 
the  Governor's  forces  for  days.  Can  you  think  of  any 
means  of  getting  us  some  ?  " 

"  What,  in  broad  daylight  from  here  ?  " 

"  Without  it  we  are  like  to  be  in  a  sorry  plight." 

"  There  is  no  thought  of  his  being  at  Malincourt. 
They  are  searching  for  him  in  the  city  but  believe  he  has 
fled.  Hundreds  of  horsemen  are  out  on  the  hunt  on 
every  road  and  in  every  direction." 

"  And  our  men  ?  " 

"  Are  mostly  here.  It  was  held  they  were  too  new  to 
the  place  to  be  much  good  in  hunting  for  the  fugitives." 

"  How  many  men  other  than  ours  are  here  ?  "  asked 
Pascal  eagerly. 

"  Some  two  or  maybe  three  hundred." 

"  God,  what  a  chance !  "  cried  Pascal.  "  See,  Bassot, 
couldn't  we  get  the  men  together  and  while  the  Duke's 
away  seize  the  Castle  itself?  It  is  Dubois'  plan.  While 
you  are  getting  ready  here  I  could  fetch  the  rest  of 
our  fellows  from  Malincourt.  It  would  be  a  stroke 
worthy  of  us." 


258        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  A  firebrand  scheme ;  but  it  could  be  done  if  the 
Duke  will  only  keep  the  men  away." 

"  D'Alembert  will  be  up  with  the  troops  by  to-morrow 
night,  and  we  could  hold  the  Castle  till  then.  We've 
every  reason,  too,  to  look  for  a  rising  in  the  city  among 
the  burghers ;  and  in  that  case  my  lord  Tiger  Duke  would 
find  his  claws  nicely  cut,  and  his  tail  trodden  on  at  the 
same  time." 

"  There  is  a  breach  in  the  walls  here.  I  had  forgotten. 
A  hundred  men  would  be  useless  there  against  his 
thousands,"  said  Bassot. 

"  There  is  a  flaw  in  every  plan.  We  should  have  two 
hundred,  not  one ;  and  besides,  if  they  carried  the  walls, 
there  is  the  Castle.  We  will  try  it,"  said  Pascal  de- 
cisively. "  Find  me  a  horse  and  I'll  ride  to  Malincourt 
and  in  an  hour  we  can  be  back." 

At  this  moment  a  mounted  man  rode  up  to  the  gates 
at  a  gallop  and  the  soldiers  clustered  round  him  for  his 
news.  The  captain  went  across  to  learn  it,  and  came 
back  crestfallen. 

"  The  Governor  is  returning  with  a  strong  force.  The 
man  says  they  have  news  that  the  fugitives  have  been 
traced  to  Crevasse,  a  hill  village  away  to  the  north,  and 
their  capture  is  now  looked  upon  as  certain." 

"  A  thousand  devils !  "  exclaimed  Pascal  in  his  disap- 
pointment, and  then  with  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders  he 
added  lightly,  "  Ah,  well,  there  died  a  good  scheme,  and 
we  must  find  another.  Get  me  out  of  this,  Bassot,  before 
the  Duke  arrives.  Just  walk  with  me  through  the  gates, 
and  I'll  manage  the  rest." 

They  passed  out  together,  the  captain  appearing  to  be 
giving  him  some  orders,  and  as  soon  as  they  were  clear 
of  the  Castle,  Pascal  started  at  a  quick  pace  to  carry  his. 
news  back  to  Malincourt. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

LUCETTE  AS   DECOY 

THE  Governor  returned  to  the  Castle  in  a  scMiie- 
what  less  violent  mood.  The  report  that  the  fugi- 
tives had  been  seen  and  identified  at  Crevasse 
was  so  precise  and  definite  that  he  was  confident  they 
would  now  be  recaptured,  and  it  was  in  this  confident 
mood  that  he  himself  carried  the  news  to  his  wife. 

Lucette  was  with  her  and  had  just  told  her  that  Gabri- 
elle  was  safe  at  Malincourt,  when  he  arrived,  gloating 
at  the  thought  of  his  coming  triumph  and  brutally  profuse 
in  threats  as  to  the  punishment  he  would  inflict.  As  soon 
as  he  had  left,  Lucette  slipped  away  to  put  her  own  plan 
into  operation. 

She  did  not  go  to  Antoine  at  once  in  the  courtyard, 
but  hung  about  until  she  saw  Dauban  and  then  put  her- 
self, as  if  by  chance,  in  his  way,  and  when  she  was  sure 
lie  had  seen  her  she  made  a  great  show  of  surprise  and 
turned  as  if  to  hurry  away  from  him.    It  was  well  acted. 

"So  you  avoid  me,  mademoiselle?"  he  said,  going 
after  her. 

**  How  dare  you  speak  to  me  ? "  she  cried  indig- 
nantly. 

*'  Fine  airs  for  a  prisoner,"  he  retorted. 

"  You  are  a  noble  fellow,  indeed,  to  taunt  a  poor  girl, 
Master  Dauban.  But  have  a  care  what  you  say.  If  I 
am  a  prisoner,  I  am  in  the  charge  of  one  who  won't  see 
me  insulted.  Antoine  de  Cavannes  is  a  man  with  a 
stouter  arm  than  Master  Dauban,  any  day,"  and  she 
tossed  her  pretty  head  and  turned  again  on  her  heel. 

This  had  just  the  eflfect  she  had  calculated.    He  had 

259 


a6o        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

been  pondering  over  Antoine's  words,  speculating  who 
it  was  in  his  charge  who  knew  the  whereabouts  of  the 
runaways,  and  he  chuckled  now  at  his  own  cleverness 
in  making  the  discovery. 

"  Not  so  fast,  mademoiselle ;  I  mean  no  harm.  I  am 
sorry  for  you  and  would  help  you.  On  my  honour, 
I  meant  no  insult,"  he  said,  following  her. 

She  stopped,  but  with  an  air  of  reluctance. 

"  Yet  you  did  taunt  me,"  and  she  gave  him  a  re- 
proachful glance,  with  just  enough  suggestion  of  ten- 
derness in  it  to  make  him  uncomfortable.  But  with  a 
sudden  change  her  eye  flashed  and  she  cried  contemptu- 
ously— 

"  You  help  me !  Why  you  are  too  great  a  coward ! 
I  thought  once "  and  she  stopped. 

"  I  am  no  coward,"  he  answered,  with  none  too  easy 
a  laugh. 

"  I  would  have  sworn  that  once,"  her  tone  was  now 
regret  with  the  suspicion  of  a  sigh,  "  but  you  let  even 
Denys  beat  you."  It  was  a  daring  reference,  but  she 
felt  very  sure  of  her  power  with  him. 

"  You  lured  me  then,"  he  declared,  with  an  angry 
flush.     This  was  her  cue. 

"  Master  Dauban !  How  can  you !  "  and  she  fixed 
her  large  dark  eyes  upon  him  with  a  look  of  pained  re- 
proach, changing  gradually  to  indignation  as  she  added, 
with  mounting  vehemence,  "  Did  I  not  say  you  were  a 
coward?  To  blame  a  poor  girl  for  what  was  none  of 
her  fault,  and  never  to  have  spoken  a  word  to  her  since. 
Oh !  "  and  she  stamped  her  foot  now  almost  viciously, 
"  were  I  not  a  girl  you  should  pay  for  the  cruel  slander 
and — aye,  and  all  your  neglect."  Then  as  if  the  thought 
of  his  neglect  wounded  her,  her  anger  passed  and  she 
sighed  in  sore  distress. 

He  was  visibly  disquieted,  and  in  an  indecisive,  self- 
exculpating  manner  he  asked — 


LUCETTE    AS    DECOY  261 

"  But  you  did  lure  me,  knowing  he  was  there,  didn't 
you?  " 

"  Oh,  Master  Dauban,  how  can  you  say  such  cruel 
thinqfs!  I  would  have  thought  the  words  would  burn 
your  lips.  Do  you  think  I  would  have  had  you  mal- 
treated ;  you  ?  "  and  again  with  excellent  inconsequence 
she  took  fire  again,  using  her  eyes  all  the  while  with 
deadly  effect.  "  But  I  am  glad  now.  Yes,  I  am  glad, 
glad,  glad ;  do  you  understand  ?  You  are  one  of  those 
men  who  think  they  can  play  with  a  girl  as  they  will ; 
and  you  shall  pay  for  it.  Aye,  you  shall,  if  I  have  to 
go  on  my  knees  to  beg  some  one  to  do  me  justice.  You 
shall  fool  me  no  more." 

He  was  thoroughly  perplexed,  as  well  he  might  be, 
indeed. 

"  I  don't  understand  you.  You  are  going  to  marry 
Denys." 

She  laughed  recklessly,  almost  waldly,  stamped  her 
foot  at  him  again,  and  flashed  glances  of  anger  at  him. 

"  Marry  Denys !  Yes,  I  will  marry  any  man  now ; 
any  man  who  will  avenge  me  with  you.  Look  to  your- 
self, I  warn  you.  Oh,  my  God !  "  and  as  if  in  passion 
she  hid  her  face  in  her  hands  and  turned  away. 

"  Lucette,  Lucette,"  he  said,  laying  a  hand  on  her 
shoulder.  She  shook  it  off  angrily  and  started  from 
him.  Other  feelings  were  roused  in  him  now  than  greed 
and  cunning,  and  he  found  them  very  flattering  to  his 
vanity  and  very  delightful.  "  Don't  do  this,  Lucette. 
I  had  no  idea,  on  my  soul,  I  hadn't,"  he  said. 

The  words  appeared  to  add  fuel  to  her  anger,  and 
uncovering  her  face  she  turned  upon  hira,  the  traces  of 
tears  in  her  eyes. 

'*  What  a  cow'ard's  speech ;  oh,  what  a  coward's 
speech !  "  she  cried  vehemently.  "  Who  but  a  coward 
would  make  such  a  plea!  But  I  ought  to  have  known 
you  better — aye,  as  I  know  you  now.     You  spoke  me 


a62        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

gently,  gave  me  soft  speeches,  led  me  to  think  I  know 
not  what,  you  won  my — but  I  will  not  lower  myself  to 
say  more;  and  then  like  a  coward  and  all  unlike  the 
man  I  deemed  you,  you  fawn  on  me  with  your  '  I  had 
no  idea.'  Shame  on  you,  shame  on  you.  I  could  hate 
you  for  such  words." 

"Could  hate  me,  Lucette ;  but  you  do  not  ?  "  It  was 
plain,  indeed,  from  both  her  words  and  agitation. 

"  If  I  do  not,"  and  she  held  him  with  an  intent  look 
for  a  pause  until  she  appeared  to  master  her  emotion, 
and  said  quietly,  "  I  have  forgotten  my  resolve.  I 
meant  not  to  speak  to  you  again.  Master  Dauban.  It 
will  be  better  so ;  and  in  time  I  may  forgive  and — forget," 
the  last  word  died  away  in  a  sigh  which  went  straight 
to  his  heart. 

"  As  God  is  my  judge,  Lucette,  I  had  no  thought  of 
this.  I  wronged  you.  ^I  believed  you  did  but  play  with 
me  and  took  me  that  evening  to  the  pine-walk  that 
Denys  St.  Jean  should  see  us.  Why,  I  love  the  very 
ground  you  tread  on." 

"  No,  no,  I  won't  hear  it.  I  won't  believe  it ;  I 
cannot," 

"  It's  true,  it's  true,  I  swear  it  is." 

Again  she  looked  at  him  long  and  searchingly  until 
the  lustre  of  her  eyes  seemed  to  daze  him. 

"  And  condemned  me  without  a  word,"  she  said,  with 
a  sigh  of  exquisitely  tender  reproach.  "  Is  that  how  a 
man  trusts  the  girl  he  loves?  Nay,  Jacques,  you  may 
think  you  love  me,  but  you  would  have  come  to  me  in 
candour  and  trust,  not  have  flung  an  angry  taunt  at  me." 

"  Did  I  not  trust  you  ?  Did  I  not  warn  you  against 
this  Gerard  de  Cobalt?  Was  I  not  ready  to  betray  even 
my  master  for  your  sake  ?  Was  I  not  telling  you  every- 
thing that  evening  ?  " 

She  continued  to  hold  him  with  the  magnetism  of  her 
look,  and  when  he  stopped  she  answered  slowly  and 
deliberately — 


LUCETTE    AS    DECOY  263 

"  I  shall  marry  Antoine  de  Cavannes.  He  loves  me, 
I  know,  and  is  as  true  as  steel  in  his  love.  He  gfuards 
me  here  and  will  see  I  come  to  no  harm." 

He  moved  uneasily  under  her  glance,  and  then  look- 
ing about  him  lowered  his  voice. 

"He  is  not  true  to  you,  Lucette.  He  is  going  to 
betray  you." 

"  Jacques,  Jacques,  how  dare  you !  Would  you  slan- 
der him,  too?     Have  a  care  lest  I  tell  him." 

"  Listen  to  me ;  what  I  say  is  the  truth.  He  thinks 
you  know  where  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt  can  be 
found  and  the  prisoners ;  there  is  a  price  of  a  thousand 
crowns  on  their  heads,  and  he  means  to  use  you  to  find 
them  and  win  the  money." 

"  Holy  Virgin !  now  am  I  a  miserable  and  desolate 
girl,"  cried  Lucette  in  a  fresh  paroxysm  of  distress. 
"  Oh,  it  cannot  be  true,  it  cannot  I  " 

"  It  is  true,  I  swear  it,"  he  replied  very  earnestly, 
and  gave  her  a  garbled  account  of  what  had  passed  be- 
tween himself  and  Antoine. 

As  she  listened  her  agitation  mounted,  and  when  he 
finished  she  exclaimed,  as  if  unstrung  in  her  emotion — 

"  I  will  never  tell  him,  I  will  never  tell  him."  Then 
as  if  realizing  she  had  betrayed  herself,  she  stared  at 
him  in  distress  and  alarm,  and  protested  with  excited, 
voluble  earnestness :  "  I  did  not  mean  that,  Jacques ; 
I  did  not  mean  that.  Do  not  misunderstand  me.  I 
meant  nothing,"  and  she  clung  to  his  arm  with  piteous 
entreating  glances.  "  What  I  meant  was  I  know 
nothing.  You  understand  that,  don't  you,  don't  you? 
Oh,  thank  Heaven,  you  warned  me,  Jacques,  dear 
Jacques,  I  thank  you  from  my  soul,  I  thank  you.  Oh, 
what  might  I  not  have  done  in  my  blindness !  " 

So  she  did  know  after  all,  thought  Dauban ;  and  his 
selfish  love  being  satisfied  by  what  she  had  done  and 
said,  his  greed  began  to  grow  stronger  again. 


264        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

Her  sharp  wits  read  him  Hke  an  open  book,  and  with 
a  dexterous  change  of  tone  and  manner  she  said  as  if 
speaking  her  thoughts  aloud — 

"  A  thousand  crowns !  And  for  a  scoundrel  like  this 
Gerard  de  Cobalt !  " 

"  Miladi  is  infatuated  with  him  and  should  be  saved 
from  him,"  said  Dauban,  with  a  cunning  glance.  "  Else 
she  may  be  ruined." 

"  No,  no,  Jacques ;  don't  tempt  me  with  such 
thoughts.  Yet,  how  true,  how  shrewdly  true !  No, 
no,  it  would  be  vile  baseness." 

"  You  would  save  her  from  a  villain,"  he  urged. 

"  And  for  my  reward  she  would  never  look  at  me 
again.     Oh,  Gabrielle,  Gabrielle !  " 

"  Our  reward  would  be  a  thousand  crowns,  Lucette. 
A  thousand  crowns  would  be  a  fortune  for  us." 

"  A  million  crowns  would  not  tempt  me  to  such 
treachery.  How  dare  you,  Jacques !  I  am  not  thinking 
of  money,  but  of  Gabrielle.  Oh,  if  she  is  now  in  his 
power !  " 

"  The  money  is  on  his  head,  not  hers,"  he  said.  "  If 
he  were  taken,  miladi  could  be  left  free — and  she  would 
be  saved  from  him.  You  know  where  she  is  ?  "  He  put 
the  question  very  gently. 

"Yes,  no;  oh,  I  am  longing  to  go  to  her.  I  don't 
know  what  I  am  saying,  or  whom  I  can  trust.  Oh, 
Jacques,  if  I  could  but  trust  you !  "  and  she  clung  to 
him  again  in  her  distress  and  looked  wistfully  into  his 
face. 

"  I  swear  on  my  life  I  am  true  to  you,  Lucette.  Let 
us  go  to  her.  She  is  in  the  city?"  he  asked,  pushing 
his  point  a  little  further. 

"  When  I  think  what  she  must  be  suffering  I  am 
mad.  If  I  could  but  get  to  her  with  what  she  needs  from 
Malincourt,  I  might  save  her  yet.  I  could  take  her 
some  disguise  and  fly  with  her.     But  I  am  a  prisoner. 


LUCETTE    AS   DECOY  265 

A  prisoner,  my  God,  a  prisoner  at  such  a  time !  "    Her 
agony  at  the  thought  was  perfectly  acted, 

"  I  could  go  to  Malincourt,"  he  suggested. 

"  But  there  is  Antoine ;  and  even  were  I  free  from 
the  Castle  and  got  what  I  need  from  Malincourt,  I  could 
not  pass  the  city  gates.  Oh,  what  can  I  do !  What  can 
I  do!" 

"  I  have  a  permit  to  leave  the  city  when  I  will,  and 
could  take  you.  See,"  he  answered  in  the  same  sleek, 
smooth  voice,  as  he  took  it  out  and  showed  it  to  her. 
"  Then  she  is  not  in  the  city  ?  "  he  added,  when  Lucette 
seemed  to  hesitate.  "  They  say  that  all  have  been  seen. 
at  Crevasse." 

"  But  they  will  not  be  found,  save  by  those  who  know 
where  to  look.  If  I  could  make  sure  that  only  he  would 
be  taken,  I  should  not  mind  then.  And  there  is  the 
money,  Jacques.    Oh,  was  ever  a  poor  girl  so  troubled !  " 

"  I  could  manage  it,  Lucette,  and  manage  Antoine, 
too.  Listen.  Go  to  him  and  pretend  that  you  need  cer- 
tain things  for  yourself  from  Malincourt;  say  nothing 
of  miladi,  and  we  will  all  go  together.  If  both  Antoine 
and  I  are  with  you,  no  questions  will  be  asked  as  to 
where  you  go.  You  can  then  get  the  disguise  and  what- 
ever else  you  need  for  miladi,  and  I'll  find  a  pretext  to 
get  rid  of  Antoine,  and  you  and  I  alone  will  go  to 
miladi." 

"  How  cunningly  you  plan,  Jacques ;  how  shrewd !  You 
make  it  seem  so  simple,"  and  Lucette  thanked  him  with 
a  radiant  smile.  Her  face  clouded  again  instantly,  how- 
ever, as  she  added,  "  But  Antoine  is  a  dangerous  man, 
Jacques." 

"  I  will  manage  that.  At  need,  I  will  have  him  re- 
called from  Malincourt,  or  we  will  return  to  the  Castle 
and  then  I  will  get  him  away.  But  mind,  not  a  syllable 
about  miladi." 

"  You  g^ve  me  courage,  Jacques.     Let  us  go  to  him. 


^66        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

He  keeps  his  ward  of  me  in  the  courtyard,  that  I  may 
not  pass.  You  speak  of  MaHncourt  to  him.  You  can 
hide  your  thoughts ;  and  he  would  read  mine." 

They  went  then  together  and  found  Antoine  lounging 
in  the  courtyard  chatting  with  a  group  of  soldiers.  He 
left  them  at  once  and  crossed  to  Lucette,  looking  dis- 
pleased that  Dauban  was  with  her. 

"  You  have  kept  me  waiting,"  he  said. 

"And  is  that  a  crime,  M.  Gaoler?"  she  answered 
mockingly,  with  a  toss  of  the  head.  "  Maybe  I  was 
in  better  company,"  and  she  glanced  at  Dauban,  who 
smiled  self -complacently.  "  Perhaps  you  would  like  me 
to  be  gyved  to  you  by  the  wrist." 

"  Nearer  the  finger-tips  than  the  wrist  would  suit  me 
-better,  Lucette,"  he  laughed. 

"  Well,  a  gaoler  should  be  a  judge  of  fetters,  but  I 
wear  none." 

"  Not  fetters,  Lucette ;  a  ring  for  the  left  hand,"  he 
answered,  looking  at  her  with  a  bold  admiration  that 
was  little  to  Dauban's  taste. 

"  We  have  come  to  ask  you  a  question,  Antoine,"  he 
said. 

"  We  ?  "  echoed  Antoine,  with  a  sharp  glance  at  Lu- 
cette. 

"  I  said  '  we.'  Lucette  has  need  of  certain  things 
from  Malincourt  and  would  fain  go  there  in  quest  of 
them.  I  told  her  there  would  be  no  difficulty  were  you 
and  I  to  escort  her  there  and  back." 

"  It  was  very  thoughtful  of  you — but  she  is  my 
prisoner." 

"  She  will  be  nobody's  prisoner  the  moment  the  fugi- 
tives are  brought  in  from  Crevasse." 

"  Then  she  will  need  no  things  from  Malincourt," 
returned  Antoine  sharply,  with  a  knowing  smile.  But 
Lucette  struck  in  at  once  briskly — 

"Do  you  mean  I  cannot  go?     Say  so  openly,  if  you 


LUCETTE    AS    DECOY  267 

do,  and  I  shall  know  what  to  think.  It  is  when  a  poor 
girl  is  at  such  a  pass  as  I  am  that  she  can  judge  her 
friends.  Master  Dauban,  who  knows  more  of  these 
things  in  one  tiny  corner  of  his  brain  than  you  do  in 
your  whole  body,  said  there  would  be  no  difficulty." 

"  Dauban  hasn't  been  put  in  charge  of  you  and  isn't 
responsible  to  the  Governor.  I  am,'"  said  Antoine 
sulkily. 

"  Master  Dauban  would  take  some  risk  to  give  a  poor 
girl  some  pleasure,  wouldn't  you,  Jacques  ? "  Antoine 
winced  at  the  name  thus  glibly  spoken. 

"  There  is  no  risk ;  but  if  there  were  I'd  run  it,  readily 
enough." 

"  I  know  you  would,  Jacques.  I  know  a  friend  when 
I  see  one.  I  don't  want  to  go  now,  monsieur,"  she  said 
to  Antoine  angrily.  "  If  I  know  my  friends,  I  also  know 
my  enemies.  You  are  my  gaoler,  very  well ;  you  are 
afraid  to  do  a  little  thing  like  this,  very  well.  You  make 
big  promises  and  refuse  this,  again  very  well.  Perhaps 
my  gaoler  has  some  orders  to  g^ve  ?  "  and  she  looked  at 
him  with  angry  defiant  eyes. 

"  Lucette,  I " 

"  No  thank  you.  I  don't  want  to  hear  you.  I  won't 
hear  a  word  you  say,"  she  cried,  with  a  stamp  of  the 
foot.  She  could  put  a  deal  of  meaning  into  that  stamp 
of  the  foot.  "  I  suppose  a  prisoner  can  go  back  into 
the  Castle.  Come,  Jacques,"  and  she  made  as  if  to  turn 
away. 

"  I  didn't  say  you  couldn't  go,  Lucette.  You've  such 
a  fiery  temper,"  said  Antoine,  all  unwilling  that  she 
should  leave  like  this. 

"  Then  you  must  find  it  very  disagreeable  to  be  with 
me,"  she  rapped  back.  "  Come,  Jacques,"  and  laid  a 
hand  on  Dauban's  arm. 

But  Dauban  was  now  less  set  upon  love-making  than 
seeking  to  gain  the  thousand  crowns,  and  he  would 
not  go. 


268        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  Antoine  did  not  say  you  should  not  go,  Lucette ;  he 
only  said  there  was  more  risk  for  him  than  for  me. 
And  that's  true." 

"  But  I  don't  wish  to  go  now.  I  know  now  who  is 
not  my  friend ;  and  that  knowledge  is  cheaply  gained 
by  the  lack  of  ju€t  a  few  things  I  wished.  It  does  not 
matter  to  him  what  happens  to  me :  he  has  his  duty  to 
think  of  and  his  master,  the  Governor.  Like  Tiger,  like 
whelp.     He  would  like  to  see  me  stretched  on  the  rack." 

"  Lucette,  don't  say  that,  don't,"  cried  Antoine. 

"  You  could  listen  to  my  groans  as  my  joints  were 
stretched,  and  chuckle  to  think  how  well  you  had  done 
your  duty.     I  know  you  now." 

"  For  God's  sake  don't  talk  at  random  in  that  way," 
he  protested.  "If  it  comes  to  that  I'd  be  the  first  to 
help  you  to  escape.     I  would,  on  my  honour." 

"  Hear  him,  hear  him,"  exclaimed  Lucette  disdain- 
fully. "  The  man  would  not  let  me  fetch  a  few  tie  rib- 
bons from  Malincourt,  and  yet  would  risk  his  life !  " 
Her  contempt  was  splendid. 

"I'll  go  with  you  to  Malincourt ;  aye,  and  get  you 
out  of  the  city,  Lucette,  if  you  but  bid  me." 

"  You  hear,  Lucette,  he  will  take  you,"  said  Dauban, 
stopping  the  angry  tirade  which  was  hovering  on  her  lips. 

She  paused  a  moment,  and  then  with  a  smile  and  a 
curl  of  the  lip,  said — 

"  No,  monsieur,  you  had  better  not.  I  am  a  girl  and 
you  two  are  only  strong  men  and  armed,  and  you  might 
be  hurt.  I  might  kill  you  both  with  my  empty  hands, 
and  then  escape.     Pray  be  cautious." 

Antoine  laughed  and  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  What  a  little  devil  you  are,  Lucette.  May  I  be 
hanged  if  I  know  whether  you  want  to  go  or  not.  But 
if  you  do,  you  can." 

"  Let  us  go,"  said  Dauban  practically. 

"Are  you  sure  you  both  feel  safe?"  asked  Lucette 


LUCETTE   AS    DECOY  269 

with  mock  sweetness,  and  then  glanced  at  Antoine  with 
a  smile  which  completed  his  conquest. 

"  Come,"  he  answered ;  "  you  always  get  your  way." 

They  crossed  the  courtyard  at  a  leisurely  pace  and 
passed  slowly  through  the  gate,  the  two  men  exchanging 
words  with  the  guards,  and  then  turned  in  the  direction 
of  Malincourt. 

"  If  the  Governor  asks  for  me  while  we're  away, 
there'll  be  trouble  for  me,"  said  Antoine  somewhat 
ruefully. 

"If  he  asked  for  me  and  I  wasn't  away,  there  would 
be  greater  trouble  for  me,"  she  retorted.  "  But  if  you 
repent,  we'll  go  back." 

"  Don't  spit  such  fire  at  me,  Lucette ;  I  meant  nothing."" 

"  We'd  better  hasten,  I  think,"  said  Dauban,  and  they 
quickened  their  steps  to  a  rapid  pace.  Lucette  played 
the  one  man  against  the  other  with  great  adroitness 
until  they  were  near  Malincourt  and  the  cedar-gate  was 
in  sight,  when  she  began  to  set  them  by  the  ears. 

"  Jacques  tells  me  there  is  a  price  of  a  thousand  crowns 
on  Gerard  de  Cobalt's  head.     Is  that  so,  Antoine?" 

"  Yes,  It  was  announced  in  the  Castle  and  has  been 
proclaimed  in  the  city." 

"  Is  it  true  you  have  a  mind  to  earn  it  ?  " 

"  A  thousand  crowns  is  a  thousand  crowns." 

"  And  blood  money  is  blood  money,  too.  Is  it  not  so, 
Jacques  ?  " 

"If  it  has  to  be  earned  by  somebody,  why  not  one  as 
well  as  another  ?  " 

"  I  see  no  flaw  in  that  reasoning  either,"  and  Antoine 
laughed. 

"  Is  that  why  you  told  Jacques  you  could  use  me  to 
earn  it  ?  "  asked  Lucette,  looking  at  him  fixedly. 

"  Did  he  say  that  ?  "  asked  Antoine,  glancing  angrily 
at  Dauban.  He  bore  him  no  good  will  for  having  forced 
himself  into  this  walk,  nor  for  the  angry  words  Lucette 
had  spoken  to  him,  and  her  looks. 


ayo        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Indeed,  he  did.  Didn't  you,  Jacques?  "  and  her  sharp 
eyes  were  on  him  now  much  to  his  uneasiness. 

"  I  didn't  say  that  exactly,"  he  repUed. 

"  Jacques !  "  cried  Lucette  in  an  indignant  tone. 

"  You  mistook  me." 

"  Well,  what  did  you  say  then  ?  " 

"  Aye,  Master  Dauban,  let's  have  that.  Let's  hear  what 
you  did  say,"  and  Antoine  frowned  darkly. 

"  I  don't  remember  exactly  what  I  said.  And  it  doesn't 
matter." 

"  By  your  leave,  but  it  does  matter."  Antoine  was 
growing  more  angry. 

"  Now,  don't  begin  to  quarrel,"  exclaimed  Lucette, 
pouring  oil  on  to  the  flames  with  a  dexterous  hand. 
*'  Master  Dauban  only  said  that  you  meant  to  use  me 
as  a  decoy  to  find  mademoiselle,  and  then  I  agreed  to 
help  him  to  get  the  money  for  himself  if  he  promised  to 
save  mademoiselle  and  only  capture  this  de  Cobalt." 

"  A  thousand  devils !  Is  that  true.  Master  Dauban  ?  " 
cried  Antoine  in  a  voice  of  rage  at  this  proof  of  treachery. 

"  Oh,  what  have  I  said !"  exclaimed  Lucette  in  distress. 
"  Oh,  Antoine,  don't  look  at  him  like  that.  You  frighten 
me.     You  must  not  harm  him." 

"  Why  are  you  so  zealous  for  him  ?  Do  you  care  ? 
By  Heaven !  look  to  yourself  there,  you  Dauban,"  and  out 
flashed  his  sword. 

"  Oh,  Antoine,  Antoine,  dear  Antoine,  you  must  not, 
you  must  not,"  she  cried,  clinging  to  his  sword-arm.  But 
he  shook  her  off  and  turned  upon  Dauban,  who  was 
deadly  white. 

They  stood  now  just  within  the  gate  of  Malincourt. 

**  Come,  Master  Dauban,  if  you've  anything  to  say, 
say  it,"  said  Antoine  in  a  very  threatening  tone. 

"  I — I  can  explain  all  this,"  answered  Dauban  anx- 
iously. "  There  has  been  a  mistake.  Let  me  speak  alone 
with  you." 


LUCETTE    AS    DECOY  271 

"  None  of  your  lies  for  me,  thank  you.  Speak  out 
now,"  and  Antoine  made  a  step  toward  him  and  raised 
his  weapon. 

As  the  sword  flashed  in  the  sunlight,  Lucette  shrank 
back  as  if  terror-stricken  and  gave  a  loud  scream.  At 
the  sound  some  half-dozen  soldiers  came  running  up  from 
among  the  trees. 

"  Ah,  messieurs,  messieurs,  help,  help !  Stop  them, 
or  there  will  be  bloodshed,"  cried  Lucette. 

"  What  does  this  mean  ?  "  asked  one  of  the  soldiers. 

"  Who  are  you  ? "  said  Antoine,  looking  at  them  in 
surprise. 

"  We're  guarding  the  place  for  the  Governor,"  was  the 
reply.    "  What's  the  trouble  ?  " 

"  Nothing  that  concerns  you.  Go  your  way,"  he  an- 
swered angrily. 

"  Not  so  fast,  my  dunghill  cock.  Put  up  that  weapoi* 
and  come  to  the  house.  And  you,  too,  mistress,  if  you 
please." 

"  Don't  you  dare  to  interfere  with  me,"  protested 
Antoine. 

"Yes,  we'd  better  go  to  the  house,"  said  Dauban,. 
secretly  rejoicing  at  the  interruption. 

"  Go  you  on  with  mademoiselle,  then,"  said  the  soldier, 
"  and  do  you  come  with  me,  monsieur,"  and  at  a  sign 
from  him  three  of  the  men  closed  round  Antoine,  and 
made  it  perfectly  clear  that  they  meant  to  use  force  if 
necessary. 

At  that  moment  Lucette  turned  and  smiled. 

"  You  would  have  used  me  as  a  decoy,  monsieur  ? 
Come  then  to  the  house  and  we  will  see  how  it  can  be 
best  done." 

With  a  great  oath  in  his  mortification  and  bewilder- 
ment, he  sheathed  his  sword  and  seeing  resistance  was 
useless,  marched  on  between  the  soldiers. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 


SUSPENSE 


JACQUES  DAUBAN,  in  his  pleasure  at  escaping 
from  Antoine's  very  angry  threats,  hurried  for- 
ward to  the  house  with  Lucette,  unsuspiciously, 
and  said  little  beyond  a  word  or  two  of  rebuke  for 
her  disclosure  of  their  mutual  plan. 

"  You  should  not  have  said  anything.  It  may  increase 
the  difficulty  of  getting  rid  of  him." 

"  But  I  would  not  have  him  think  he  could  use  me 
as  a  decoy." 

"  It  would  have  been  safer  to  have  told  him  after- 
wards." 

"Safer?  You  do  not  mean  you  are  afraid  of  him, 
Jacques,"  and  look  and  tone  and  gesture  were  alike  elo- 
quent of  indignant  repudiation  of  the  thought. 

"  Afraid  of  him  ?  Indeed,  no/'  he  replied  stoutly,  but 
with  a  timorous  glance  over  his  shoulder. 

"  If  you  were  a  coward,  oh "  and  her  disgust  was 

intense. 

"  I  am  no  coward,  but  prudence  is  always  valuable," 
and  in  this  way  she  plagued  him  till  they  reached  the 
house,  and  as  they  entered  the  door  they  were  met  by 
Pascal, 

Lucette  gave  a  little  cry  of  pretended  alarm,  and  Dau- 
ban  changed  colour  in  alarm  that  was  very  far  from 
pretence. 

"  Ah,  you  recognize  me,  I  see,"  said  Pascal,  with  an 
ominous  smile. 

272 


SUSPENSE  273 

Dauban  gazed  at  him  a  moment  and  then  at  Lucette, 
and  in  that  moment  the  truth  dawned  upon  him.  He  saw 
how  he  had  been  fooled,  and  with  a  cry  of  rage  and 
despair,  he  raised  his  arm  and  rushed  at  Lucette  to  strike 
her.     But  Pascal  caught  his  hand  and  thrust  it  back. 

"  Stay,  little  spy,  stay.  If  you've  a  fancy  for  striking 
some  one,  strike  me,  not  a  girl." 

"  So  you  are  not  a  coward.  Is  this  the  proof  ?  "  asked 
Lucette.  *'  Master  Dauban  has  brought  me  to  Malin- 
court,  monsieur,  in  order  that  I  may  get  a  disguise  for 
Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt,  and  then  go  with  him  to 
Crevasse  to  find  the  fugitives  there  and  hand  over  M. 
Gerard  and  the  monk  to  the  soldiery  after  enabling  miladi 
to  escape.  He  will  be  able  to  get  me  out  of  the  city  with 
a  permit  which  he  has  thoughtfully  brought  with  him." 

Pascal  laughed. 

"  You  she-devil !  "  cried  Dauban,  white  and  trembling 
with  his  passion. 

"  Both  you  and  Antoine  had  a  frenzy  to  use  me  as  a 
decoy ;  well,  you  have  had  your  way — and  a  lesson,"  and 
with  a  laugh  she  went  away. 

"  You  seem  to  have  made  a  mess  of  things,  spy,"  said 
Pascal.     "  Give  me  the  permit  she  spoke  of." 

"  She  lied,  as  she  has  lied  all  through.  I  have  no 
such  thing." 

"  Come,  no  nonsense,"  said  Pascal  sternly.  "  Hand 
it  over.  I  am  in  good  humour  as  yet,  and  may  not  hurt 
even  you.     But  don't  put  me  in  a  bad  one." 

"What  does  this  mean?"  asked  Dauban. 

"  That  you  have  come  back  to  Malincourt.  Will  you 
give  me  that  paper  or  shall  I  have  it  taken  from  you  ?  I 
think  you  know  whether  I  am  safe  to  trifle  to  with,"  and 
he  held  out  his  hand. 

W'ith  trembling  fingers  Dauban  drew  it  from  his  pocket 
and  handed  it  over ;  and  Pascal  called  up  a  couple  of  men 
and  trave  him  into  their  charcfc.     Antoine  he  did  not  even 


274        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

trouble  to  see,  but  gave  orders  that  he  should  be  kept  in 
safe  custody,  and  then  carried  the  permit  to  Gerard  to 
consult  with  him  as  to  making  use  of  it. 

Lucette  first  hurried  to  Denys,  whom  she  found  suffi- 
ciently recovered  to  have  been  able  to  leave  his  bed,  and 
having  told  him  all  that  had  occurred  at  the  Castle  she 
went  to  Gabrielle. 

"  How  calm  and  strong  you  are,  Gabrielle,"  she  said, 
when  the  first  greetings  had  been  exchanged.  "  And  I 
am  in  a  perfect  fever  of  restlessness." 

"  We  can  do  nothing  yet  but  wait,  Lucette." 

"But  what  will  happen?  Can't  we  do  something? 
Tell  me  everything  that  has  happened.  I  am  dying  to 
know  everything — everything." 

Gabrielle  told  her  as  shortly  as  she  could  what  had 
occurred  in  the  cell  and  afterwards  in  the  futile  attempt 
to  escape  from  the  city,  and  then  the  return  to  Malin- 
court. 

"  They  think  you  are  all  at  Crevasse." 

"  So  M.  Pascal  brought  us  word  when  he  told  us  to 
expect  you.  I  am  so  glad  you  have  escaped,  and  to  have 
you  with  me  again.    Now  tell  me  how  you  managed  it." 

Lucette  made  her  recital  very  brief  indeed,  saying  little 
or  nothing  of  the  means  she  had  employed  to  cozen  the 
two  men. 

"  They  must  have  been  mad  indeed  to  think  you  would 
betray  me,"  said  Gabrielle. 

"  They  were  thinking  most  of  the  thousand  crowns, 
and  when  a  man's  head  is  set  money-wards,  he  is  most 
easily  blinded  to  other  things." 

"  What  a  philosopher  you  are,  Lucette — about  men." 

"And  so  M.  Gerard  is  M.  Gerard  still,  Gabrielle,  but 
not  de  Cobalt,"  said  Lucette,  changing  the  subject. 
"  How  glad  and  proud  you  must  feel." 

"  H  only  this  danger  were  over ;  but  the  suspense  is 
racking,"   replied  Gabrielle,  with  a  sigh.     "Any  hotir. 


SUSPENSE 


275 


any  minute  may  bring  the  Governor  to  Malincourt  with  a 
strong  force." 

"  But  are  we  not  also  strong?  " 

"  In  numbers,  perhaps,  strong  enough ;  but  our  men 
are  virtually  without  arms." 

"If  he  comes  you  can  hold  out  as  long  as  possible 
and  then  fly." 

"  Do  you  think  he  would  leave  us  a  way  out  ?  " 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Gabrielle  ?  " 

"  Why,  that  Malincourt  would  be  surrounded,  of 
course,  and  every  chance  of  escape  stopped.  We  have 
indeed  been  considering  within  the  last  hour,  whether  it 
wouldn't  be  best  to  risk  a  flight  and  seek  concealment 
in  the  city  while  there  is  yet  time." 

"  Of  a  truth,  it  is  well  I  came  back,"  exclaimed  Lucette 
excitedly,  jumping  up.  "  Where  are  your  wits,  Gabri- 
elle? They  say  love  sharpens  them  in  a  woman  and 
blunts  them  in  a  man ;  but  this  does  not  look  like  it." 

"  Lucette ! "  cried  Gabrielle,  flushing  partly  in  confu- 
sion at  the  words  and  partly  with  the  gathered  infection 
of  Lucette's  excitement. 

"  Yes,  you  ought  to  blush  for  your  forgetfulness  when 
the  man  you  love  is  at  such  a  dangerous  pass." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  cried  Gabrielle,  searching  her 
memory  vainly  for  some  clue.    "  What  have  I  forgotten  ?  " 

"  Why,  the  passage  that  leads  from  the  chapel  crypt 
to  the  old  burial  ground  and  out  to  the  woods  beyond. 
Were  the  Duke's  soldiers  swarming  in  thousands  round 
the  house,  that  way  would  still  be  clear  for  every  man 
and  woman  inside  to  pass  out  in  safety." 

"  My  wits  must  have  been  dull  indeed  not  to  think  of 
it,"  cried  Gabrielle,  as  excited  now  as  Lucette.  "  You 
have  saved  us  all,  Lucette.  We  must  tell  them  at  once. 
That  it  should  have  been  left  for  you  to  remind  me  of  it  I" 

"  I  have  been  in  it :  you  have  only  heard  of  it ;  and 
it's  easy  to  remember  what  one's  actually  seen.    Ill  go 


276        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

for  them/'  and  she  was  hurrying  out  when  Gerard  and 
Pascal  came. 

Gerard  held  the  permit  taken  from  Dauban,  and  greeted 
Lucette  with  a  smile  and  many  thanks  for  what  she  had 
done. 

"  This  will  clear  the  way  for  us,  Gabrielle,"  he  said 
then.  "  We  can  get  out  of  the  city,  and  I  have  decided 
to  go  at  once  if  you  are  willing  to  run  the  risk." 

"  Ah,  but  Lucette  has  done  more  than  bring  that, 
Gerard.  She  has  reminded  me  of  what,  to  my  shame,  I 
had  forgotten,"  and  she  told  him  of  the  underground 
passage.  "  We  can  wait  now  in  confidence  for  the  com- 
ing of  the  Duke  and  use  that  permit  in  the  last  resort." 

"  We  are  never  to  be  out  of  your  debt,  it  seems, 
Lucette,"  said  Gerard. 

"Shall  I  go  and  see  that  the  way  is  clear?"  asked 
Pascal.    "  Perhaps  Mademoiselle  Lucette  will  show  me  ?  " 

"  How  quick  and  ready-witted  she  is,"  said  Gerard, 
when  the  two  had  left. 

"  And  how  dull  I  am  not  to  have  thought  of  it,"  re- 
plied Gabrielle.  "  I  feel  almost  humiliated.  Lucette  hit 
me  harder  than  she  deemed  with  her  words." 

"  She  has  a  sharp  tongue.    What  said  she  ?  " 

Gabrielle's  colour  heightened  and  she  smiled. 

"  That  with  you  in  such  peril  my  wits  should  have 
been  specially  sharp;  yet  that  very  peril  dulled  them." 

"  There  is  no  such  peril.  I  have  no  doubt  as  to  the 
end.  See,  we  have  first  the  chance  that  the  Governor 
may  not  discover  our  presence  here  until  it  is  too  late 
for  him  to  force  us  to  yield  before  my  cousin  gets  up 
from  Cambrai.  Next,  we  have  means  of  resistance  for 
some  hour  or  two  at  worst.  Then  we  have  the  means  to 
get  from  Malincourt  should  he  drive  us  out.  Then  again, 
we  have  this  permit  to  pass  the  city  gates.  And  besides, 
we  have  yet  to  see  that  he  will  dare  to  resist  me  when  he 
knows  that  I  am  here  in  Bourbon's  name.     I  have  no 


SUSPENSE  277 

fears  of  the  issue;  my  distress  is  that  you  have  had  to 
endure  so  much," 

"  But  don't  you  know  we  women  like  such  trials, 
Gerard,  even  if  our  hearts  are  not  so  stout  to  face  them 
as  yours  ?  It  is  for  you  I  fear — yet  not  fear ;  I  have  too 
much  confidence  in  you.  Besides,  there  is  always  a  last 
resource." 

*'  We  are  very  far  from  any  last  resource,"  he  an- 
swered cheerily.  "  But  what  is  the  one  you  have  in 
mind  ?  " 

"  It  is  I  who  am  the  cause  of  all,  Gerard ;  and  in 
the  last  extreme  I  could  avert  all  ill  even  from  you." 

"  We  would  die  here  in  Malincourt  one  by  one  before 
that  sacrifice  could  even  be  thought  of,  Gabrielle,"  he 
answered  earnestly.  "  Do  you  think  there  is  a  man  of 
us  Bourbons  who  would  purchase  his  life  at  such  a 
price  ?  " 

"  I  would  let  no  harm  come  to  you,"  she  answered, 
her  tone  as  resolute  as  his. 

"  How  you  must  love  me,"  he  whispered  tenderly, 
taking  her  in  his  arms  and  kissing  her.  "  You  would 
suffer  worse  than  death  for  me;  but  you  shall  do  better 
than  that,  dearest,  you  shall  live  for  me." 

"  Pray  God  it  may  be  so ;  but  this  Governor  is  a  hard 
enemy." 

"  And  we  Bourbons  are  no  easy  ones.  But  how  sweet 
to  me  this  thought  of  your  infinite  love."  She  smiled  up 
to  him  and  whispered  with  rueful  self-reproach — 

"  Yet  it  could  not  spur  my  wits  to  remember  what 
Lucette  thought  of  on  the  instant." 

"  Lucette  is  not  as  my  Gabrielle.  Her  heart  is  under 
the  discipline  of  her  judgment." 

"  And  mine  is  all  in  all  to  me — all  I  have  to  live  for ; 
or  so  it  seems  almost.  I  cannot  understand  this  sweet 
wild  change  in  me.  I  am  as  one  in  a  dream  when  I  think 
of  you,  Gerard;  self-centred,  absorbed,  self-lost.     I  had 


278        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

not  thought  it  possible — for  me.  And  yet  that  great 
blank  past,  when  you  were  not  in  my  life,  is  but  a  few 
hours  ago.  I  seem  to  have  stepped  out  of  the  wilderness 
with  a  single  stride  into  a  world  all  rich  and  lovely  with 
delight.     And  it  is  real." 

"  It  shall  always  be  real  to  us,  dearest." 

"  When  these  other  shadows  are  past,"  she  sighed. 
"  But  they  will  pass  I  know.  If  I  have  my  moods  of 
doubt  it  is  only  the  dread  lest  the  dream  shall  be  broken 
and  I  shall  lose  you." 

"  Nothing  shall  part  us,  Gabrielle,  not  even  death," 
he  declared  earnestly. 

"  No.  Not  even  death.  For  if  I  lost  you,  I  should 
die.  I  should  wish  to  die,  indeed.  And  it  is  that  which 
fills  me  with  courage  and  energy  to  fight  out  with  fight 
and  conquer." 

*'  Spoken  as  I  would  have  my  Gabrielle  speak  and 
think,"  he  said. 

Some  one  came  then  saying  that  Babillon  was  asking 
for  Gabrielle,  and  he  was  brought  in  to  them. 

"  You  have  some  news,  Babillon  ?  "  asked  Gabrielle. 

"  I  have  not  been  idle,  miladi.  The  news  of  your 
trouble  has  roused  the  burghers  of  the  city,  and  at  a  word 
from  you  they  will  rise  in  your  defence." 

"  Have  you  said  aught  that  mademoiselle  is  here  ?  " 
asked  Gerard  quickly. 

"  No,  my  lord.  The  tale  has  spread  from  the  Castle 
that  you  have  all  escaped  from  the  city  and  are  hiding 
in  the  hills  to  the  north.  That  miladi  should  be  thus 
driven  to  such  extremities  to  avoid  the  persecutions  of 
the  Governor  has  caused  the  present  tumult,  and  I  am 
supposed  to  be  able  to  communicate  with  her.  Aliladi 
has  many  adherents  even  among  the  troops  of  the  Gov- 
ernor, and  from  them  has  gone  abroad  the  story  of 
her  wrongs.  The  burghers  have  long  had  their  bitter 
grievances  and  have  been  arming  themselves ;  and  now 


SUSPENSE  279 

this  last  news  is  like  to  act  as  tinder  to  dry  shavings  and 
kindle  the  flame." 

"  I  would  that  we  had  but  some  of  their  arms  here 
in  Malincourt,"  exclaimed  Gerard.  "  It  would  save  all 
other  anxieties.  Could  you  get  us  muskets  and  powder 
and  ball,  Babillon,  think  you  ?  " 

"  Alone,  I  am  helpless.  A  word  from  miladi  would 
do  all ;  but  that  might  involve  the  disclosure  of  her  pres- 
ence here." 

"  It  is^  worth  any  risk,"  said  Gerard  decisively.  "  If 
there  is  to  be  fighting,  it  can  best  be  done  from  behind 
these  walls." 

''  There  must  be  no  rising  in  the  city,  Babillon,"  said 
Gabrielle. 

"  Indignation,  on  the  top  of  wrongs  so  long  endured, 
burns  very  strong,  and  is  spreading  like  a  forest  fire, 
miladi." 

"  It  will  be  useless  and  worse,  far  worse  than  useless. 
Men  untrained  to  fighting,  lacking  in  leaders,  and  ill 
armed,  cannot  prevail  against  the  Duke's  soldiers.  The 
citizens  would  be  massacred  and  their  houses  sacked.  It 
must  not  be,"  she  declared. 

"  It  need  not  be,  if  Babillon  can  but  get  the  arms  we 
want  to  Malincourt.  How  soon  could  you  do  this  ? " 
asked  Gerard  anxiously. 

"  We  could  get  all  in  readiness,  and  as  soon  as  nig^t 
falls  to  give  the  cover  of  darkness  they  could  be  brought 
here." 

"  By  nightfall,"  exclaimed  Gerard  in  a  tone  of  dis- 
appointment. 

"  My  lord,  it  would  be  hopeless  to  make  such  an 
attempt  in  daylight  with  the  city  overrun  as  it  is  by 
troops." 

"  Stay,  let  me  suggest,"  said  Gabrielle.  "  Push  on 
the  preparations,  Babillon,  to  do  my  lord's  wish,  and  if 
aught  should  occur  to  spoil  the  venture  and  we  should 


a8o        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

have  to  abandon  Malincourt,  have  prepared  some  place 
where  we  can  He  hid,  safely  protected  by  the  men  of  the 
city,  until  the  danger  has  passed." 

"  A  shrewd  thought,"  said  Gerard  readily.  "  And 
now  come  with  me,  and  we  will  perfect  the  plan  for 
getting  the  arms.  I  will  speak  with  Dubois  and  Pascal," 
he  added  to  Gabrielle,  and  led  Babillon  away. 

Dubois  was  found  and  a  long  conference  followed,  to 
which  Pascal,  who  had  been  strenuously  engaged  in 
clearing  the  secret  passage,  was  presently  called. 

Both  Pascal  and  Dubois  agreed  in  urging  that  the 
citizens  should  be  encouraged  to  rise,  but  Gerard,  in 
deference  to  the  wish  Gabrielle  had  expressed,  would  not 
agree,  and  the  utmost  he  would  yield  was  that  Dubois 
should  go  with  Babillon,  taking  with  him  written  author- 
ity from  Gabrielle  to  consult  with  the  chief  burghers  on 
the  whole  position,  to  judge  the  chances  of  success,  and 
to  offer  himself  as  a  leader  of  any  movement.  But  he 
was  to  sanction  no  revolt  without  first  communicating 
with  Gerard ;  and  his  chief  efforts  in  the  meantime  were 
to  be  bent  upon  getting  the  arms  and  ammunition  so 
sorely  needed. 

The  gruff  old  soldier  protested  that  it  was  no  more 
than  a  one-handed  scheme. 

"  We  cannot  fight  a  man  like  this  Governor  with  one 
hand  in  irons,  and  that  the  sword  hand,"  he  said.  "  A 
rising  to-night  in  the  city  would  mean  everything  to  us 
here.  There  might  be  blood  shed  it  is  true ;  but  blood  has 
been  shed  before  and  will  be  shed  again  in  many  a  worse 
cause.  Nor  could  anything  really  serious  happen  before 
dAlembert  reaches  the  city." 

"  We  will  fight  if  we  are  forced  in  self-defence,  Du- 
bois, but  we  will  not  force  the  fighting  from  our  side," 
was  Gerard's  reply.  "  This  is  Mademoiselle  de  Malin- 
court's  matter  more  than  ours,  and  her  will  must  pre- 
vail." 


SUSPENSE  281 

"  It  will  fail,  my  lord,"  was  the  answer  bluntly  spoken, 

"  Then  we'll  try  something  else  that  will  succeed,  I 
am  quite  resolved.     Let  it  be  as  I  say." 

"  So  much  for  a  woman's  leadership,"  growled  Dubois 
to  Pascal  as  he  was  starting  with  Babillon. 

"  He  mfght  take  another  view  if  he'd  had  as  much 
married  experience  as  you,"  laughed  Pascal. 

"If  he  lives  to  marry  her,"  was  the  gloomy  response. 
"  To  think  he  should  sacrifice  a  chance  like  this  for  the 
sake  of  a  squeamish  girl." 

"  Get  those  arms,  man,  and  we  may  have  yet  a  tough 
bout  or  two  here,"  but  Dubois  shook  his  head  discontent- 
edly. Pascal  looked  after  him  and  shrugged  his  shoul- 
ders, as  he  muttered  to  himself:  "Your  husband  never 
sees  the  same  light  in  a  pair  of  bright  eyes  as  your  lover. 
Save  me  from  marrying,  say  I,  Pascal  de  la  Tour." 

A  soft  laugh  broke  in  on  his  soliloquy,  and  he  turned  to 
find  Lucette  looking  at  him,  her  face  severely  demure 
but  her  eyes  dancing  with  quizzical  light. 

"Are  you  then  in  danger,  monsieur  ?  "  she  asked  in  a 
tone  of  deep  solicitude, 

"  Any  man  might  well  be  at  such  short  range  as  this," 
he  answered,  meeting  her  gaze  and  laughing.  "  So  you 
heard  me  ?  " 

"I  heard  you  calling  on  some  one  else  to  save  you  from 
some  dreadful  fate,  and  the  thought  of  any  one  in  deep 
trouble  appeals  to  me." 

"  Danger  it  might  be  and  yet  not  deep  trouble.  I  can 
well  imagine  there  would  be  compensations — when  I  look 
at  you.  You're  a  born  coquette,  I  fear,  Lucette.  I  shall 
have  to  read  you  a  lecture  or  two." 

"  The  experience  of  professors  in  any  art  is  always  to 
be  welcomed,  monsieur." 

"  Do  Dauban  and  de  Cavannes  agree  in  that  ?  They've 
had  a  pretty  fair  taste  of  the  experience,  at  any  rate/* 
he  laujrhed. 


-82        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Do  you  rate  yourself  on  the  same  footing  with 
them?" 

"  In  your  eyes,  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  They  are  canaille,  Monsieur  Pascal," 

"  Some  fishermen  are  so  keen  at  the  sport  that  when 
they  can't  hook  the  trout  they  are  glad  to  take  the 
minnows." 

"  And  some  minnows  are  so  self-ignorant  they  do  not 
know  they  are  not  salmon,"  she  retorted,  with  a  flash  of 
the  eyes, 

"  A  fair  hit,  mademoiselle.     Shall  we  cry  a  truce  ?  " 

"  I  came  to  ask  what  has  been  decided  ?  " 

"  Babillon  has  been  here  " — and  he  told  her  what  had 
passed, 

"  Ah,  you  soldiers  always  want  to  be  killing  something 
or  somebody,"  she  answered.  "  Gabrielle  is  right.  She 
is  always  right.  She  will  be  able  to  escape  to  this  hiding 
place  at  any  moment  and  can  lie  hid  in  safety  till  the 
storm  passes.  Men  never  think  a  woman  can  be  right 
except  when  she  says  ditto  to  what  they  may  decide," 

"  Until  I  met  you  I  may  have  held  to  some  such  heresy. 
But  did  we  not  cry  a  truce  ?  I  am  waving  the  white  flag 
of  surrender," 

"  You  are  very  provoking,  Monsieur  Pascal," 

"  And  you  are  very  charming.  Mademoiselle  Lucette," 

At  this  moment  a  soldier  came  hurrying  to  them. 

"  Another  messenger  has  arrived  from  the  Castle, 
Lieutenant.  We  managed  to  mislead  him  long  enough 
to  get  him  to  deliver  his  message.  He  reports  that  the 
hunt  for  the  fugitives  at  Crevasse  has  proved  fruitless ; 
the  men  have  returned  from  there  to  the  Castle  empty- 
handed  and  he  was  despatched  at  once  to  ascertain 
whether  anything  had  been  seen  of  them  here." 

"Well?" 

"  We  were  sending  him  back  with  a  message  that  all 
wa"?  quiet  here  when  his  suspicions  were  aroused  and  we 
had  to  detain  him  like  the  rest." 


SUSPENSE  28j 

"  Did  you  question  him  ?  "  asked  Pascal,  looking  very- 
grave. 

"  Yes,  monsieur.  He  would  say  but  little ;  he  made  a 
dash  to  escape  and  when  we  stopped  him,  declared  that 
there  would  be  plenty  of  his  comrades  here  to  know  why 
he  had  not  returned." 

"  Keep  him  safe.  That  is  all,"  said  Pascal ;  and  when 
the  man  had  gone  he  turned  to  Lucette.  "  The  begin- 
ning of  the  end,  mademoiselle.  We  shall  soon  know 
now  which  plan  is  right,  the  soldier's  or  the  woman's  ?  " 

They  carried  the  ominous  news  to  Gerard,  who  was 
with  Gabrielle. 

"  It  had  to  come  some  time,"  said  Gerard.  "  Thank 
God  it  hasn't  come  earlier.  Have  all  in  readiness,  Pas- 
cal, to  close  the  house  the  moment  there  is  any  sign  of 
the  Duke's  approach." 

And  when  all  had  been  made  ready  against  a  surprise, 
they  waited,  all  filled  with  anxiety  for  what  was  ta 
follow. 

They  had  not  long  to  wait.  In  less  than  a  hour  the 
men  on  the  look-out  reported  the  approach  of  a  strong^ 
party  of  troops,  and  Gerard  and  Pascal  hurried  away  ta 
decide  upon  the  next  step. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

A   RUSE 

THERE  was  unfortunately  no  reason  to  doubt  the 
correctness  of  the  ominous  news,  and  for  a 
moment  Gerard  looked  very  grave  when  he 
learnt  that  the  approaching  force  numbered  between  fifty 
and  a  hundred  troops. 

"  Are  there  likely  to  be  any  of  our  own  men  ?  "  he 
asked  Pascal. 

"  I  fear  not.  Bassot  told  me  that  they  were  not  held 
of  much  use  in  this  search  work  owing  to  their  ignorance 
of  the  place." 

"  Yet  we  might  venture  it.  It  would  be  a  stroke. 
What  say  you,  Pascal?  Shall  we  let  them  all  enter  and 
risk  a  struggle  to  capture  them  ?  We  should  get  some 
of  the  arms  we  want  so  badly.  They  are  all  carrying 
muskets." 

"  That  is  more  like  you,  Gerard,"  cried  Pascal  enthu- 
siastically. "  A  stroke  worth  making,  indeed,  and  if  well 
planned  easy  enough." 

"  Quick,  then.  Here  is  the  plan.  Post  men  to  com- 
mand the  great  hall;  it  is  there  we  may  take  the  main 
body  of  them,  and  dispose  the  rest  as  secretly  as  you  can 
in  the  upper  floors.  Let  no  one  but  men  of  the  house- 
hold be  about  when  they  come  to  the  door.  Let  them 
show  fear  and  surprise,  and,  delaying  as  long  as  they 
can  in  safety,  admit  at  last  that  we  are  in  the  house. 
The  soldiers  will  not  all  enter  at  once,  but  if  a  search  has 
to  be  made  for  us,  most  of  them  will  have  to  be  brought 

284 


A    RUSE  285 

in  for  it.  Let  the  search  go  on,  and  when  the  soldiers 
are  straggled  in  parties  over  the  house,  we  can  deal  with 
them.  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt  and  Lucette  must 
go  to  the  chapel  crypt  to  be  ready  to  fly  should  the 
plan  fail." 

"  One  suggestion  I  have,"  said  Pascal  quickly,  "  The 
shrewdest  tongue  in  Malincourt  is  between  Mademoiselle 
Lucette's  white  teeth,  and  if  she  would  meet  the  men  on 
their  entry  she  would  be  best  for  the  purpose," 

"  I  will  sound  her.  Go  you  and  post  the  men,"  and 
Gerard  hurried  back  to  Gabrielle  and  Lucette  and  ex- 
plained his  scheme.  Lucette  gladly  agreed  to  play  the 
part  asked,  and  listened  carefully  as  Gerard  gave  her  all 
the  necessary  instructions. 

"  Delay  them  all  you  can,"  he  said.  "  Every  minute  is 
precious.  There  are  but  some  two  hours  now  to  dark, 
and  if  we  can  hold  the  place  through  the  night  the  delay 
may  save  everything." 

He  led  Gabrielle  to  the  chapel  crypt  while  Lucette 
ran  down  to  the  great  hall  to  wait  for  the  coming  of  the 
troops.  Their  own  men  were  hurrying  to  their  hiding 
places  under  the  directions  of  Pascal  and  the  officers,  all 
laughing  gleefully  enough  at  the  prospect  of  the  coming 
tussle.  But  the  dispositions  were  made  very  rapidly,  and 
Lucette  had  been  alone  some  minutes  before  the  tramp 
of  the  men  outside  was  heard,  followed  by  a  loud  sum- 
mons for  admission. 

Lucette  told  one  of  the  servants  to  open  the  door,  and 
he  was  pushed  brusquely  to  one  side  as  an  officer  with 
some  dozen  men  filed  into  the  house. 

Lucette  gave  a  cry  of  surprise  and  alarm. 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  this,  monsieur?"  she  asked. 

"  I  am  sorry  if  I  disturb  you,  mademoiselle,"  said  the 
officer,  saluting  her,  "  but  my  orders  are  imperative." 

"  Are  you  going  to  shoot  us  all,  monsieur?  "  He  was 
young  and  good-looking  she  found,  as  she  brought  the 


^86        A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

battery  of  her  eyes  into  action,  and  he  answered  her  smile 
with  another. 

"  Not  quite  that,  mademoiselle ;  pray  be  reassured.  But 
some  strange  things  have  happened " 

f  This  is  surely  one  of  them,  monsieur,"  she  inter- 
posed, with  a  shrug  of  her  pretty  shoulders  and  a  little 
grimace  of  dismay. 

"  You  know  that  we  are  looking  for  some  prisoners 
who  escaped  last  night  from  the  Castle  and " 

"  Prisoners !  And  you  look  for  them  in  Malincourt. 
Monsieur ! "  Admirably  assumed  indignation  it  was, 
and  every  interruption  meant  a  gain  of  time.  "  Do  you 
think  we  harbour  thieves  and  malefactors  here  ?  " 

"  These  are  no  ordinary  prisoners,  mademoiselle,"  he 
replied  with  another  smile.  He  found  Lucette's  eyes 
very  pleasing  to  gaze  into. 

"  And  you  are  no  ordinary  thief-catcher,  monsieur.  A 
gallant  captain  like  yourself  must  find  such  work  little 
to  your  taste." 

"  We  have  to  obey  orders,  mademoiselle." 

"  And  frighten  poor  girls  out  of  their  wits,  it  seems. 
I  thought  all  soldiers  were  as  gallant  as  most  of  them 
are  handsome,"  and  she  pointed  this  with  a  very  telling 
glance. 

"  You  need  be  in  no  fear,  mademoiselle,  if  you  will  but 
let  us  do  our  duty." 

"  Then  you  are  not  going  to  arrest  me  ? "  and  she 
laughed,  and  added  as  she  made  more  havoc  with  her 
€yes :    "  I  think  I  could  trust  myself  to  you,  monsieur." 

"  Is  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt  here  ?  " 

"  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt !  "  This  in  a  tone  of 
intense  astonishment.  "  What  will  you  ask  me  next  ?  Is 
she  one  of  your  escaped  prisoners  ?  "  and  Lucette  burst 
into  a  peal  of  merry  laughter. 

"  His  Excellency  the  Governor  is  anxious  to  see  her 
at  the  Castle,  and  we  are  to  escort  her  there." 


A    RUSE  a87 

*'  You  speak  in  riddles,  monsieur.  Do  you  mean  that 
the  Duke  de  Rochelle  invites  guests  to  the  Castle  with  a 
file  of  soldiers  to  see  that  they  accept  the  invitation? 
Surely  I  am  dreaming." 

"  One  of  the  prisoners  who  escaped  was  a  friend  of 
mademoiselle,  and  she  is  asked  for  at  the  Castle  in  regard 
to  the  matter." 

"  Oh,   you    mean    you    would    make    her   a   prisoner.  * 
Then,  if  she  were  here,  I  would  refuse  to  tell  you." 

"  It  will  be  better  to  answer  me  directly,"  said  the 
officer. 

*'  Did  you  ever  know  a  woman  who  could,  monsieur?  " 

"  By  your  leave  I  must  press  for  a  decided  reply  to 
my  question." 

"  And  by  your  leave  I  deny  your  right  to  question  me 
and  expect  any  reply." 

"  As  you  please,  of  course,"  he  answered  courteously. 
"  There  is  another  matter.  A  guard  of  men  was  left  here 
this  morning  when  the  house  had  been  searched " 

"  Searched  ?  "  broke  in  Lucette.  "  Searched  ?  Malin- 
court  searched!  There  has  been  no  search  of  Malin- 
court  while  I  have  been  here.  True,  I  was  absent  in 
attendance  upon  the  Duchess  de  Rochelle  this  morning, 
but  Malincourt  searched !     Surely  you  are  misinformed." 

"  It  is  as  I  say.  The  house  was  searched  in  the  belief 
that  the  prisoners  were  here,  or  Mademoiselle  de  Malin- 
court herself,  and  a  guard  was  left  in  case  they  should 
seek  refuge  here." 

"  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt  seek  refuge  in  her  own 
house !     Monsieur !  " 

•'  I  think  you  must  know  of  this,"  he  answered  smiling. 

"  I  am  sure  you  are  too  frank  to  deceive  me.  I  would 
trust  you." 

"  You  are  very  good.  I  do  not  like  this  errand,  it  is 
true,  but  I  have  no  option  save  to  perform  it." 

"  I  can  understand  that,  monsieur,"  she  said,  with  a 


1288        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

glance  that  made  him  wish  any  one  else  had  been  chosen 
for  the  task.  "  You  have  too  good  a  heart  to  wish  to 
frighten  a  poor  girl  like  myself,  or  to  persecute  a  noble 
innocent  girl  like  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt." 

"  Several  messengers  have  been  sent  here  during  the 
day  and  none  of  them  have  returned.  I  have  come 
therefore  to  learn  the  reason." 

"  Certainly,  monsieur.  It  is  very  strange,"  and  Lu- 
cette  looked  at  him,  almost  sympathetically.  "  What  do 
you  wish  me  to  do  ?  " 

"  I  must  see  the  guard  for  myself,  mademoiselle." 

''  Certainly,  monsieur.     Where  are  they  ?  " 

"  Pardon  me.  You  are  either  keeping  matters  from 
me — whi'-h  I  assure  you  will  be  useless — or  you  are 
strangely  ignorant  of  what  has  occurred  here." 

"  I  think  it  must  be  both,  monsieur,  don't  you  ?  "  and 
they  laughed  together  at  the  reply. 

"  I  beg  you  tell  me." 

"  Oh,  am  I  the  guard  ?  Very  well.  What  shall  I 
tell  you?" 

He  made  a  gesture  of  impatience. 

"  Where  are  the  soldiers  ?  My  orders  are  to  use  all 
despatch." 

"  Oh,  then  I  am  not  the  guard,"  she  cried  with  a  laugh, 
and  then  seriously :  "  I  give  you  my  word,  monsieur,  I 
have  been  in  the  house  some  hours  and  have  seen  neither 
the  guard  nor  the  messengers." 

"  Have  you  seen  the  prisoners,  mademoiselle  ?  " 

"  Monsieur.     That  question  is  almost  an  insult !  " 

"  I  mean  no  insult  to  so  charming  a  lady,  I  assure  you ; 
but  you  leave  me  no  option  save  to  search  the  house." 

"  What,  again  ?  "  she  cried  in  a  merry  bantering  tone. 
"  I  did  not  know  the  great  Duke  was  organizing  a  game 
of  hide  and  go  seek.  But,  seriously,  monsieur,  do  you 
think  your  party  is  strong  enough  ?  We  have  a  number 
of  very  savage  old  men  among  the  Malincourt  retainers, 
and  some  younger  girls  than  I." 


A    RUSE  289 

"  There  will  be  none  prettier,  mademoiselle,  and  none 
with  more  biting  tongues.  I  should  wish  to  do  it  witK 
the  least  inconvenience." 

"  Then  I  beg  you  have  in  all  your  men  and  search  all 
the  wings  at  once,"  said  Lucette  quickly.  "  I  shall  see 
you  again  when  it  is  over,"  a  true  saying  with  another 
meaning  than  the  young  officer  understood,  and  she  went 
away,  having  successfully  used  up  an  invaluable  half 
hour. 

Pascal  and  Gerard  had  heard  it  all  from  their  post 
above  stairs  and  were  ready  with  their  plans.  The 
officer  lost  no  time  now  in  bringing  in  all  but  a  dozen 
of  his  party,  and  he  despatched  them  through  the  house 
with  orders  to  search  every  room  closely  from  roof  to 
cellars,  thus  falling  straight  into  the  trap  laid  for  him 
and  them. 

He  himself  remained  below  by  the  door  until  he  heard 
the  scuffling  sound  of  a  struggle  somewhere  on  an  upper 
floor.  A  voice  called  to  him :  "  They  are  here,  lieu- 
tenant," and  at  that  he  dashed  up  the  stairs,  the  rest 
of  his  men  close  at  his  heels. 

It  was  but  a  ruse  to  draw  him  away,  and  the  moment 
he  had  gone,  Gerard  sent  a  man  to  the  door  who  beck- 
oned excitedly  to  the  troops  outside  to  enter,  and  as  they 
dashed  in,  mistaking  the  man  for  one  of  their  comrades, 
they  were  seized,  disarmed  and  hurried  away  in  custody 
— the  blow  being  cleverly,  quickly,  and  almost  silently 
struck. 

Another  false  alarm  was  now  raised  in  a  different  wing 
of  the  house,  and  those  soldiers  who  rushed  to  follow 
the  sound  were  caught  in  the  same  way.  Other  false 
alarms  followed  in  various  directions,  until  the  searchers, 
utterly  bewildered  and  confused,  ran  first  one  way  and 
then  another,  only  to  be  caught  in  the  net  so  warily  and 
cleverly  spread. 

At  length  the  young  officer  with  the  remainder  came 


290        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

down  to  the  central  hall,  and  with  a  ringing  shout  called 
his  men  to  him.     At  this  Pascal  stepped  toward  him. 

"  I  am  sorry,  monsieur,  but  I  have  found  it  necessary 
to  detain  your  men  for  a  time." 

At  a  word  from  the  officer  every  musket  was  levelled 
point  blank  at  him,  but  he  remained  perfectly  cool. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  demanded  the  officer.  "  But  who- 
ever you  are,  you  are  my  prisoner,  and  if  you  move  my 
men  will  fire." 

"  Your  men  can  fire  if  you  order,  monsieur,"  answered 
Pascal  calmly,  '*  but  it  will  be  quite  useless.  You  are 
covered  by  forty  muskets,"  and  he  waved  his  hand  round 
the  place  where  his  soldiers  now  showed  themselves. 
"  For  your  own  sake  I  urge  you  to  avoid  bloodshed." 

"  By  God,  I'll  not  be  trapped  like  this,"  cried  the  officer 
furiously,  and  drawing  his  sword  he  rushed  to  cut  Pascal 
down. 

"  I  am  unarmed  and  you  are  too  brave  a  man  to  strike 
me,"  said  Pascal  very  quietly,  as  with  folded  arms  he 
awaited  the  attack,  looking  him  steadily  in  the  face. 

His  daring  had  its  effect,  and  his  opponent's  arm 
dropped  even  as  he  was  in  the  act  of  striking,  and  the 
next  moment  he  and  his  men  were  surrounded  by  three 
times  their  number. 

"  I  owe  you  an  explanation,  monsieur,"  said  Pascal, 
"  Those  you  seek  are  here  in  Malincourt,  and  it  was  im- 
possible to  allow  you  to  obey  your  orders.  We  are  in 
strong  force  and,  save  for  this  ruse,  we  should  have 
resisted  to  the  death.  As  it  is,  no  harm  will  come  either 
to  you  or  your  men.  On  that  you  have  my  word  as  a 
soldier.  But  for  the  present  at  least  we  cannot  let  you 
carry  news  back  to  the  Castle.  You  will  give  me  your 
word  not  to  resist  or  try  to  escape,  and  I  will  not  ask 
you  for  your  sword.  Your  men's  muskets  we  have  had 
to  take,  as  we  are  short  of  arms." 

The  officer  made  a  great  effort  to  imitate   Pascal's 


A    RUSE  291 

coolness,  but  he  was  very  young,  and  this  humiliation 
before  his  men  was  unendurable.  He  had  to  struggle 
for  self-control  and  well  nigh  broke  down. 

"  I  give  no  parole,"  he  said,  his  lips  trembling. 

"  I  respect  your  courage,"  said  Pascal,  with  both  dig- 
nity and  feeling,  "  and  I  beg  you  to  spare  me  the  distress 
of  resorting  to  the  only  alternative." 

"  Not  the  only  alternative,  by  God,"  cried  the  officer 
desperately,  and  turning  suddenly  he  hurled  himself  at 
the  soldiers  who  stood  between  him  and  the  door. 

But  they  were  tough  campaigners,  much  too  wary  to 
be  caught  by  surprise,  and  in  an  instant  his  sword  was 
knocked  out  of  his  hand  by  a  blow  from  a  clubbed 
musket  which  disabled  his  arm  and  he  found  himself 
in  the  grip  of  those  who  knew  how  to  hold  him. 

"  I  am  very  sorry,  monsieur,  but  the  fault  is  with  you," 
said  Pascal,  and  with  a  sign  to  the  men  he  was  led  away. 
As  he  passed,  Lucette  met  him,  but  he  would  not  look  at 
her,  and  hung  his  head  that  she  might  not  see  the  traces 
of  mortification  in  his  face. 

"  I  am  sorry,  monsieur,"  she  said  gently,  "  but  I  was 
fighting  for  those  dearer  to  me  than  life." 

"  I  do  not  fight  with  women,  mademoiselle,  and  pardon 
your  deceit." 

"  But  you  are  hurt ;  let  me  bind  your  arm,"  she  said 
solicitously,  seeing  that  it  dangled  at  his  side. 

He  drew  himself  up  and  looked  at  her  steadily  as  he 
replied — 

"  Thank  you,  mademoiselle ;  the  wound  to  my  arm  is 
nothing,  but  you  have  killed  my  trust  in  the  word  of  a 
beautiful  woman,"  and  he  signed  to  the  men  in  charge 
of  him  to  take  him  on. 

"  I  am  sorry  for  him,"  she  said  to  Pascal. 

"  He  brought  it  on  himself,  the  hot-headed  young 
fool."  was  the  reply. 

"  How  brave  you  are,  monsieur !     I  saw  him  rush  at 


292        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

you  and  believed  he  would  have  killed  you.  And  you 
were  so  cool." 

*'  We  had  to  avoid  bloodshed,  somehow,  and  thank 
God  we  did  so.  And  now,  what  will  be  the  next  move 
from  the  Castle  when  this  party  like  the  rest  don't  re- 
turn? How  shrewdly  you  held  him  in  talk,  mademoi- 
selle. You  wasted  half  an  hour  at  least,  and  now 
another  is  gone.  It  will  be  dark  before  the  Duke  gets 
here  after  all." 

"  I  am  almost  ashamed  of  my  part,"  murmured 
Lucette. 

"  Nay,  'tis  all  fair  in  war,  and — some  other  things. 
But  I  am  getting  more  afraid  of  you  than  ever,"  an- 
swered Pascal,  laughing  and  turning  to  meet  Gerard, 
who  had  been  to  tell  Gabrielle  the  news,  and  now  came 
up  with  her.     She  congratulated  Pascal  on  the  success. 

"  We  are  strong  enough  now  to  hold  the  place  through- 
out the  night,"  said  Pascal  to  Gerard. 

"  Strong  enough,  too,  to  speak  with  force  behind  us. 
If  the  Governor  comes,  I  shall  declare  myself  to  him." 

"  He  will  come  after  this,"  said  Pascal  drily.  *'And 
while  the  light  remains  with  us  we  can  best  use  it  by 
settling  the  plan  of  defence." 

They  were  engaged  in  this  when,  as  the  dusk  was 
falling,  the  approach  of  more  troops  was  announced. 
The  house  was  soon  found  to  be  surrounded  and  the 
Governor  himself  was  seen,  with  de  Proballe  at  his  side, 
giving  orders  to  the  troops. 

After  some  anxious  minutes  a  demand  that  the  door 
should  be  opened  was  made  in  a  loud  voice.  No  answer 
was  returned,  and  a  second  demand  followed,  accom- 
panied with  the  threat  that  it  would  be  forced. 

Then  Pascal  showed  himself  at  an  upper  window. 

"  By  what  right  do  you  threaten  force  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  I  threaten  it,"  cried  the  Duke,  "  as  Governor  of 
Morvaix." 


A    RUSE  293 

"  You  have  no  right,  my  lord  Duke.  I  am  holding  it 
by  command  of  the  Lord  Gerard  de  Bourbon  under  the 
authority  of  your  Suzerain,  the  Duke  de  Bourbon,  whose 
officer  I  am," 

"  Where  is  this  Lord  Gerard?" 

"  I  am  here,"  said  Gerard,  stepping  forward. 

The  Governor  laughed  contemptuously,  and  de  Pro- 
balle  joined  him. 

"  Come  out  to  me,  then,  that  I  may  pay  my  homage," 
he  sneered.  "  Why  didn't  you  announce  yourself  before, 
that  I  might  have  rendered  it  when  you  were  a  prisoner 
in  the  Castle  ?  " 

"  I  shall  receive  your  homage  in  my  own  time,  and 
when  I  come  for  it  it  will  be  with  sufficient  force  at  my 
back  to  exact  it." 

"  Your  noble  lordship's  caution  is  timely,  yet  a  little 
suspicious,  considering  all  things.  If  you  will  not  come 
out  to  me,  open  the  door  of  IVIalincourt  that  I  may  come 
in  to  you.  I  am  more  than  wishful  to  render  you  your 
due.     I  am  anxious,  I  promise  you." 

"  I  am  the  bearer  of  a  despatch  to  your  lordship  from 
my  father,  which  will  prove  the  commission  I  hold  from 
him." 

"  By  all  means  bring  it  me." 

"  I  am  sending  it  that  you  may  see  great  Bourbon's 
seal  and  signature,"  and  as  he  spoke  a  young  lieutenant 
who  had  left  the  house  secretly  made  his  way  toward  the 
Governor  and  handed  him  the  paper. 

The  Governor  took  it  with  a  scowl  and  glanced  at  it. 

"  Have  you  any  other  forgeries  ?  "  he  demanded. 

"  I  await  your  answer  and  submission." 

"  Submission,  in  God's  name !  And  pray  what  are 
your  noble  lordship's  commands  for  me  ?  " 

"  That  you  at  once  dismiss  the  force  that  you  have 
wrongfully  brought  against  this  house  and  leave  me  and 
all  here  in  peace." 


294        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Hell's  peace !  "  roared  the  Governor.  "  Here  is  my 
answer,"  and  he  tore  the  paper  in  two  and  flung  it  into 
the  messenger's  face,  bidding  two  of  the  soldiers  seize 
him.  "  I  have  a  further  answer  yet.  If  you  do  not  sur- 
render yourself  and  all  in  the  house  within  an  hour,  I 
will  order  my  troops  to  take  it  by  force  and  burn  it  as 
the  refuge  of  a  murderer." 

"  We  are  in  great  strength,  and  shall  resist  you.  You 
will  refuse  my  demands  at  your  peril." 

The  Governor's  reply  was  a  threat,  emphasized  with 
an  oath  as  he  wheeled  his  horse  round  and  rode  off. 

"  There  goes  the  last  chance  of  avoiding  a  conflict," 
said  Pascal,  as  he  and  Gerard  watched  him. 

"  I  am  not  so  sure,"  answered  Gerard  thoughtfully. 
"  We  have  taken  him  by  surprise  and  set  him  a  problem, 
and  he  is  not  so  dull-witted  as  to  think  the  solution  can 
be  found  with  just  a  threat  and  a  curse." 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

AT   THE    CITY   GATES 

GERARD'S  judgment  that  the  unexpected  position 
at  Malincourt  would  be  found  much  too  formi- 
dable to  be  dismissed  with  a  curse  and  a  threat 
■was  quite  correct. 

The  Governor  was  furiously  angry,  and  as  sternly  re- 
solved as  ever  to  carry  his  purpose  through;  nothing 
should  be  suffered  to  come  between  him  and  it;  but  the 
last  few  hours  had  revealed  certain  obstacles  to  the  im- 
portance of  which  even  his  selfish  rage  could  not  blind 
him. 

He  had  had  convincing  proof  that  in  threatening 
Gabrielle  he  would  provoke  far  greater  and  more  danger- 
ous antagonism  than  any  he  had  yet  encountered  at  any 
time  of  his  government. 

The  first  sign  of  this  had  come  from  the  Duchess 
herself.  She  had  sent  for  him  soon  after  Lucette  had 
left  the  Castle,  and  after  avowing  her  share  in  procuring 
Gerard's  escape,  had  met  his  storm  of  invective  with  a 
stubborn  resistance  culminating  in  a  solemn  declaration 
that  if  harm  was  done  to  a  hair  of  Gabrielle's  head,  she 
would  have  herself  carried  in  her  bed  out  into  the  streets 
of  Morvaix  and  denounce  him  and  his  acts  to  the  citizens, 
and  if  that  did  not  avail  she  would  take  the  matter,  if  it 
cost  her  her  life,  to  the  King  of  France  himself. 

He  had  laughed  at  her  threats,  but  they  had  gone 
home,  none  the  less,  and  had  rendered  him  ill  at  ease. 

More  was  to  come,  however.  Babillon  was  right  in 
saying  the  city  was  roused  by  the  news  that  Gabrielle 

295 


ag6        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

was  a  fugitive  from  the  Castle  troops.  She  was  beloved 
in  Morvaix  by  people  of  every  class,  rich  and  poor  alike ; 
and  hundreds  of  them  were  ready  to  spend  their  lives  in 
her  defence. 

Those  who  had  not  had  personal  experience  of  her 
innumerable  acts  of  charity  and  kindness  were  bound  to 
the  House  of  Malincourt  by  ties  of  allegiance  which  had 
stood  the  test  of  many  years  of  turbulence  and  crisis. 
In  former  troubles  their  attitude  had  been  decided  by 
that  of  the  Maison,  and  when  Malincourt  had  stood 
aloof  in  any  quarrel,  they  had  been  neutral.  And  now 
every  member  of  every  family  was  stirred  to  the  depths 
by  the  report  of  her  danger. 

The  Governor's  agents  in  the  city  had  brought  him 
word  of  this,  and  the  citizens  themselves  had  been  to 
the  Castle  to  seek  assurances  of  her  safety  from  the 
Governor.  Hot  words  had  passed  on  both  sides,  but  the 
Governor  had  found  it  discreet  to  appease  them  by  giving 
the  assurances  of  her  safety  and  explaining  that  the 
object  of  the  pursuit  was  merely  a  prisoner,  a  murderer, 
who  had  escaped  from  the  Castle. 

Hints  had  been  given  him,  too,  discreetly  and  almost 
timorously,  by  some  of  his  officers  that  the  concern  on 
Gabrielle's  account  was  not  confined  to  the  city,  but  had 
also  spread  to  such  of  the  troops  as  were  Morvaix  men, 
and  that  reliance  upon  them  in  any  attack  upon  her  could 
not  be  fully  placed. 

Considerations  of  this  disquieting  character  could  not 
but  produce  an  effect  even  upon  the  iron  of  his  will,  but 
he  still  saw  a  way  to  gain  his  end  without  open  conflict 
with  the  forces  supporting  the  Malincourt  influence.  He 
could  coerce  Gabrielle  through  her  lover.  If  Gerard 
could  be  recaptured  he  would  have  once  more  the  means 
of  secretly  compelling  the  consent  which  it  might  be 
dangerous  to  force  from  her  by  open  violence.  She 
would  consent  to  be  his  wife  to  save  Gerard. 


AT   THE    CITY    GATES  297 

And  here  it  was  that  he  found  the  position  at  Malin- 
court  90  disconcerting.  He  did  not  doubt  that  Gabri- 
elle  was  in  the  Maison  with  Gerard  and  he  had  gone 
there  anticipating  no  more  opposition  to  his  entry  than 
the  presence  of  a  large  body  of  troops  could  at  once 
remove.  But  instead  of  that,  he  found  the  maison 
barred  against  him  and  held  by  a  force  which  his  sol- 
dier's eye  showed  him  was  both  powerful  and  ably  dis- 
posed for  purposes  of  defence. 

That  he  could  carry  the  place  with  the  resources  at 
his  command  was  not,  of  course,  open  to  question; 
although  there  would  be  a  stout  resistance  involving 
bloodshed  and  the  loss  of  many  lives  on  both  sides.  It 
was  not  this  which  made  him  hesitate.  But  to  batter  the 
maison  to  pieces  and  burn  it  while  Gabrielle  was  inside 
with  the  defenders,  was  at  once  to  subject  her  to  immi- 
nent personal  danger  and  to  rouse  every  one  of  her  sup- 
porters in  the  city  to  active  interference. 

There  was  another  course  open,  however:  to  starve 
those  in  Malincourt  to  surrender.  It  involved  delay, 
always  distasteful  to  his  impetuous  overbearing  will,  but 
it  was  less  dangerous  and  in  the  end  would  be  equally 
effective.  Thus  he  decided  to  adopt  it,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  keep  up  a  sufficient  show  of  force  to  intimidate 
those  in  Malincourt.  He  could  easily  surround  the  house 
so  that  not  a  soul  could  leave  it,  and  by  an  occasional 
feint  could  harry  those  defending  it  and  thus  hasten  their 
submission. 

First,  however,  he  would  make  sure  that  Gabrielle  was 
really  in  Malincourt,  and  at  the  end  of  the  hour  of  grace 
he  had  allowed,  he  caused  another  summons  for  admis- 
sion to  be  made,  and  when  as  before  Pascal  appeared  in 
answer  to  it,  he  demanded  to  speak  with  Gabrielle. 

She  came  at  once,  with  Gerard  at  her  side,  and  very 
proud  and  defiant  she  looked. 

"  I  wish  you  to  understand  the  nature  of  the  resistance 


298        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

you  are  offering  to  me,  mademoiselle,  and  the  conse- 
quences," began  the  Governor. 

"  I  understand  it  perfectly,  my  lord,"  she  answered 
resolutely. 

"  You  are  harbouring  at  Malincourt  a  prisoner  of 
mine,  and  this  neither  the  laws  of  France  nor  I  myself 
can  permit." 

"  There  is  no  one  in  Malincourt,  my  lord,  who  can 
rightly  be  termed  your  prisoner.     Whom  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  The  man  who  stands  at  your  side,  at  whose  escape 
from  my  prison  you  connived." 

"  You  mean  the  Lord  Gerard  de  Bourbon.  It  is  by 
his  commands  that  the  doors  of  Malincourt  are  closed 
against  you.     And  they  will  remain  closed,  my  lord." 

"  They  cannot  remain  closed  against  the  forces  at  my 
disposal." 

"  If  you  as  Governor  of  Morvaix  think  you  dare  to  use 
violence  against  the*  son  of  your  Suzerain,  the  great  Duke 
de  Bourbon,  you  must  act  as  you  will." 

"  I  demand  that  that  man  be  given  up  to  me." 

"  And  I  decline  to  listen  to  a  demand  I  deem  in- 
famous." 

"  I  wish  no  harm  to  come  to  you,  mademoiselle,  and 
if  you  will  give  him  up,  I  will  at  once  withdraw  my 
troops  from  Malincourt." 

"  No  harm  can  come  to  me,  my  lord  Duke.  I  am  with 
those  who  know  how  to  protect  me." 

"  The  blood  of  those  who  may  suffer  if  you  drive  me 
to  use  force  will  be  upon  your  head.  I  have  told  you 
you  can  go  free." 

"  The  blood  of  the  Bourbon  soldiers  here  will  be  shed 
freely  in  defence  of  their  master,  and  for  the  rest  the 
responsibility  is  yours,  my  lord,  not  mine." 

"  I  give  you  this  last  chance  to  avoid  a  conflict." 

Gerard  whispered  to  her  before  she  answered. 

"  You  ask  me  to  surrender,  and  I  am  authorized  by 


AT   THE    CITY    GATES  299 

my  Lord  Gerard  de  Bourbon  to  answer  you  thus.  Cry 
a  truce  for  forty-eight  hours  and  we  will  come  to  you 
voluntarily  to  the  Castle." 

"  I  will  not  give  you  forty-eight  seconds,"  was  the 
angry  reply,  and  with  that  the  Governor  turned  away. 

He  rapidly  completed  his  dispositions  for  the  feinted 
attack  which  commenced  almost  immediately.  It  was 
delivered  with  much  show  of  force  from  four  different 
points  round  the  house,  and  was  accompanied  by  a  great 
deal  of  musketry  firing  on  both  sides.  But  this,  owing 
to  the  darkness,  did  little  or  no  harm  to  either  party. 

The  result  satisfied  the  Governor  that  there  really  was- 
a  considerable  body  of  men  opposed  to  him,  and  he  drew 
off  his  troops  and  surrounded  the  maison,  and  left  in- 
structions with  the  officer  in  command  to  keep  up  the 
pretence  of  an  attack  and  to  make  one  or  two  demon- 
strations during  the  night.  Then  he  rode  back  to  the 
Castle,  carrying  with  him  the  conviction  that  in  a  day 
or  two  at  most  Gerard  would  be  again  in  his  hands. 

Inside  Malincourt  a  very  different  view  of  the  position 
was  taken.  The  attack  was  regarded  as  the  proof  of  the 
Governor's  intention  to  make  good  his  threat  to  storm 
the  maison  and  burn  it ;  while  the  ease  with  which  it  was 
beaten  off  only  served  to  rouse  the  suspicion  that  it  was- 
no  more  than  the  preface  to  a  much  more  serious  effort. 

"  His  object  is  to  test  our  strength,"  said  Gerard  to 
Pascal,  "  and  to  see  whether  we  really  are  in  any  force. 
We  may  look  for  the  real  fighting  later.  If  we  had 
known,  we  would  have  saved  our  powder." 

"  We  could  ill  spare  it.  Slight  as  the  thing  was,  it 
has  made  grievous  inroads  on  our  supply." 

"  We  need  not  be  anxious.  It  will  last  out  till  morn- 
ing, and  ti.en  we  shall  go.  They  are  likely  to  try  and 
harry  us  through  the  night,  so  that  we  must  be  on  our 
guard,  but  the  real  attack  will  be  delivered  in  daylight, 
and  before  it  comes  we  must  be  out  of  the  house.     We 


300        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

have  gained  our  end,  the  delay  of  a  night,  and  for  to- 
morrow we  can  safely  trust  ourselves  to  the  burghers." 

"  I  would  rather  have  trusted  to  these  walls  if  only 
Babillon  could  have  got  up  with  the  arms." 

"  But  he  cannot,  in  the  face  of  the  soldiery  round  the 
house." 

"  There  is  the  secret  passage.  I  could  go  and  find 
him  and  guide  him  by  that  way." 

"  But  the  risk,  man.  If  a  suspicion  were  roused  we 
•should  have  the  one  chance  of  escape  stopped.  Not  for 
an  armoury  full  of  guns  and  powder  would  I  have  that 
way  discovered." 

"  True  enough ;  it  is  perhaps  too  great  a  risk,"  agreed 
Pascal. 

"  My  plan  is  this,"  explained  Gerard.  "  We  will  hold 
the  maison  through  the  night — unless  I  am  wrong  and 
■we  are  to  be  driven  from  it  by  force — and  in  the  morning 
■we  will  slip  away  secretly,  Lucette  and  you  accompany- 
ing us,  and  make  first  for  the  gates  to  leave  the  city 
■with  the  pass  we  took  from  the  spy,  and  if  we  fail  we 
shall  place  ourselves  in  the  hands  of  the  burghers." 

"  And  the  men  here  ?  " 

"  Must  remain  until  the  last  possible  moment  as  a  ruse. 
DArtois  will  stay  in  command,  and  every  show  of  con- 
tinued resistance  must  be  maintained.  You'll  see  my 
thought.  The  Governor  knows  we  are  here  and  thinks 
he  has  us  safely  caged.  In  that  belief  the  restrictions 
about  passing  in  and  out  of  the  city  will  probably  be  re- 
laxed ;  the  search  parties  will  be  recalled  from  the  city, 
and  I  am  mistaken  if  a  bold  front  and  a  slight  disguise 
■will  not  be  all  that  is  necessary  for  us  to  get  away.  Then 
by  nightfall  we  shall  be  back  with  the  troops  to  read  this 
•Governor  a  lesson." 

"  DArtois  had  better  continue  the  resistance  here  ?  " 

"  Only  in  form,  of  course.  No  lives  need  be  thrown 
away.     The  only  need  is  to  blind  the  Castle  people.     But 


AT   THE    CITY    GATES  301 

when  the  attack  grows  serious  he  can  either  surrender  or 
escape  by  the  same  means  we  shall  use,  the  men  scatter- 
ing and  resuming  the  monkish  disguise.  Even  if  they 
are  captured  and  taken  to  the  Castle  nothing  will  be  done 
to  them  before  we  are  back  with  d'Alembert." 

They  were  still  discussing  their  plans  when  the  second 
feint  was  made  by  the  Castle  troops,  and  the  ease  with 
which  this  was  also  repulsed  confirmed  Gerard  in  his 
belief  that  the  night  would  see  no  serious  attack,  and 
when  matters  had  quieted  down  and  the  last  shot  had 
been  fired,  he  prevailed  upon  Gabrielle_and  Lucette  tO" 
attempt  to  get  some  sleep.  They  should  be  roused  at 
the  first  sign  of  any  real  danger,  but  what  they  had  to* 
do  during  the  coming  day  made  it  imperative  that  they 
should  at  least  lie  down,  even  if  sleep  were  impossible. 

And  impossible  it  was  for  all  in  the  maison.  A  most 
vigilant  watch  had  to  be  kept,  and  Gerard  and  Pascal 
were  constantly  moving  from  point  to  point,  that  nO' 
single  precaution  should  be  slackened  and  not  a  move- 
ment of  the  troops  outside  pass  unobserved. 

So  matters  remained  until  the  dawn.  When  the  light 
broke  at  length,  the  great  strength  of  the  Castle  force 
was  immediately  apparent,  spreading  as  it  did  all  round 
the  maison  in  imposing  numbers  that  filled  Gabrielle 
and  Lucette  with  consternation. 

Gabrielle  was  for  instant  flight,  indeed,  but  Gerard  de- 
cided for  some  further  delay. 

"  We  have  to  wait  until  the  Governor  shall  have  had 
time  to  give  fresh  instructions  to  the  captains  of  the  city- 
gates,  or  we  cannot  get  through." 

Then  Lucette  suggested  a  serious  objection. 

"  Gabrielle  is  so  well  known  that  she  will  be  recog- 
nized at  the  gates,  and  although  she  might  pass,  any  one 
with  her  would  be  at  once  suspected  and  stopped." 

"  I  am  hoping  that  the  gates  will  be  open  to  all,"  re- 
plied Gerard,  "and  that  no  one  will  be  stopped.     But 


J02        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

she  will  be  disguised.  We  shall  all  be,  in  fact — Pascal 
and  I  as  monks." 

"  But  if  they  are  not  open  ?  " 

"  Then  we  have  this  pass  of  Dauban's  and  the  dis- 
guises." 

"  Monks  do  not  act  as  cavaliers  to  ladies,  monsiMir," 
objected  Lucette,  and  despite  the  gravity  of  the  situation 
they  smiled.  ' 

"  There  is  M.  de  Proballe's  wardrobe,"  suggested 
Gabrielle. 

"  Aye,  we  might  pass  for  rogues,  Gerard,"  laughed 
Pascal.  "  But  for  my  part,  I'd  rather  take  the  risk  and 
play  monk." 

"  May  I  suggest  ?  "  asked  Lucette.  "  A  plain  burgh- 
er's or  merchant's  dress  would  be  safest,  with  the  monks' 
gabardines  carried  for  use  in  case  of  need.  And  these 
could  easily  be  furnished  here  in  the  maison." 

"  We  must  have  weapons,  Lucette,"  said  Gerard. 

"  They  could  be  covered  with  wrappings  to  look  like 
staves  or  some  part  of  your  merchandise.  There  is  no 
difficulty  there,  surely.  The  real  difficulty  is  Gabrielle's 
face,  I  fear." 

"  I  like  the  plan,"  was  Pascal's  emphatic  verdict. 
■"  But  I  would  have  a  change  in  it.  Let  Mademoiselle 
Lucette  and  myself,  if  she  will  trust  herself  to  me,  try 
to  leave  the  city  first.  If  we  are  turned  back,  or  even 
held  by  the  guard,  it  will  be  no  grievous  matter ;  and  you 
and  mademoiselle  can  see  how  it  fares  with  us.  If  we 
have  to  show  the  pass  to  get  through,  we  can  go  a  short 
distance  and  I  can  return  on  the  plea  that  something 
has  been  forgotten,  and  can  hand  it  to  you." 

This  scheme  was  discussed  at  length  to  be  finally 
adopted,  and  Gabrielle  and  Lucette  were  left  to  settle  the 
best  device  they  could  fashion  to  conceal  what  Lucette 
had  termed  the  real  difficulty — Gabrielle's  face. 

Lucette  solved  the  problem  by  means  of  a  large  hooded 


AT   THE    CITY   GATES  303 

cloak,  such  as  was  not  uncommonly  worn  by  the  burgh- 
ers' and  merchants'  wives  in  travelling.  Drawn  over  the 
head  and  low  down  over  the  brow,  it  fastened  under  the 
chin,  but  a  little  alteration  by  Lucette's  deft  fingers  so 
arranged  it  that  much  of  the  lower  part  of  the  face  was 
also  hidden,  and  when  she  was  ready  to  start,  both 
Gerard  and  Pascal  smiled  at  the  little  device. 

"  A  burgher's  spouse  to  the  life,"  exclaimed  Pascal, 
whose  irrepressible  spirits  were  as  high  as  if  they  were 
all  bent  on  a  picnic.  "  And  on  the  pillion  no  one  will 
know  miladi  of  Malincourt !  " 

"  If  Babillon  can  get  us  the  horses,  that  is,"  said 
Gerard,  for  they  were  first  to  make  for  Babillon's  house. 

"  Crowns  are  crowns  in  Morvaix,  Gerard,  and  speak 
the  same  language  as  everywhere  else ;  and  if  he  cannot, 
I  will.     Shall  we  start  ?  " 

"  We  have  told  d'Artois  everything?  " 

"  Oh,  yes.  I  supplemented  what  you  said  with  an. 
hour's  lecture." 

"  Pray  God  we  get  away  and  do  not  find  the  Castle 
men  have  spread  out  too  far." 

"  I  have  made  sure  of  that,"  answered  Pascal.  "  I've 
been  out  to  look  for  myself." 

"  Come  then,"  and  they  started. 

"  I  would  poor  Denys  could  be  with  us,"  said  Gabrielle. 

"  I  have  seen  him  and  told  him  all,"  replied  Lucette. 
"  He  is  much  better,  but  knows  he  has  not  strength 
enough  for  this." 

Gerard  was  very  grave  and  anxious  in  his  concern  for 
Gabrielle,  and  as  they  passed  through  the  chapel,  down 
into  the  crypt  and  along  the  dark,  mouldy,  gloomy  pas- 
sage, scarce  a  word  was  spoken.  But  as  soon  as  they 
emerged  into  the  fresh  air,  Pascal,  who  had  gone  on  first 
to  make  sure  no  one  was  about,  began  to  talk.  He 
walked  with  Lucette,  Gerard  and  Gabrielle  being  ahead. 

"  We  mustn't  look  like  a  funeral  procession,  made- 
moiselle." 


304        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  If  you  were  as  anxious  for  me  as  M.  Gerard  is  for 
Gabrielle,  you  too  might  be  solemn,  monsieur." 

He  glanced  at  her  and  smiled. 

"  Hadn't  we  better  settle  the  parts  we  mean  to  play  ?  " 

"What  are  they?" 

"  Well,  to  begin  with,  we'd  better  stop  this  *  monsieur ' 
and  *  mademoiselle '  to  each  other.  My  name,  as  you 
know,  is  Pascal,  and  yours  is  Lucette,  and  they  are 
neither  of  them  names  to  be  ashamed  of.  What  say 
yon — Lucette  ?  " 

"  Just  as  you  wish — Pascal,"  and  she  copied  his  pause 
and  tone,  and  laughed. 

"  Good.  Now  we  must  be  something  to  each  other, 
because  we  may  be  asked.  Strangers  don't  go  riding 
about  together  as  we  have  to;  and  we're  not  strangers 
■either." 

"  I  am  beginning  to  know  something  of  you,  at  any 
rate." 

"  And  an  excellent  education  I  hope  you  find  it.  Now, 
what  do  you  say  to  brother  and  sister  ?  " 

"  We  might  have  to  quarrel  with  one  another  in  that 
<:ase,  or  at  least  be  discourteous.  Is  that  what  you  wish 
—Pascal  ?  " 

"  That's  an  excellent  imitation  of  a  sister's  manner — 
Lucette.  But  as  we  don't  want  to  quarrel,  and  I  am 
plain  burgher  and  you  Madame  Burgher,  we  might  be 
husband  and  wife." 

"  It  would  be  a  loveless  marriage,  wouldn't  it  ?  " 

"  I've  heard  of  them  before,"  he  laughed  drily.  "  But 
it  would  certainly  be  a  marriage  of  convenience." 

"  And  many  of  those  are  but  little  more  acting  than 
this.     But  I  think  in  such  a  case  I  should  be  a  scold." 

"  I  am  afraid  you  would,  but  as  my  back  will  be  to 
you  when  you're  on  the  pillion,  I  don't  know  that  that 
will  matter.  How  clear  the  roads  are,"  he  said,  break- 
ing into  earnestness  for  a  moment.     His  eyes  had  been 


AT   THE    CITY    GATES  305 

cast  sharply  in  all  directions,  despite  his  laughing  man- 
ner and  words. 

"  Do  you  think  we  shall  get  through  ?  Poor  Gabrielle 
is  so  anxious." 

"  Aye,  that's  one  of  the  troubles.  She's  too  anxious 
to  play  her  part  well,  I  fear.  She's  not  like — Madame 
Burgher." 

"  Nor  is  M.  Gerard  like — Monsieur  Burgher." 

"  Well,  let  us  hope  the  husband  and  wife  will  get  their 
two  charges  safely  through.  We  shall  reach  Babillon's, 
at  any  rate,"  he  said  soon  afterwards,  as  they  came  in 
sight  of  the  house.  "  I  pray  we  shall  find  better  luck 
than  last  time." 

But  they  did  not.  The  house  was  closed,  and  when 
they  knocked  and  Babillon's  wife  admitted  them,  it  was 
to  say  that  her  husband  had  not  been  home  all  night. 

"  It's  not  a  serious  matter,"  said  Pascal,  making  light 
of  it,  as  he  did  of  all  difficulties.  "  Wait  here,  and  I'll 
go  and  find  a  couple  of  horses  somewhere." 

"But  Babillon  could  have  given  us  news  of  how  mat- 
ters stand  at  the  gates  and  a  hundred  other  things,"  re- 
plied Gerard  uneasily. 

"  All  of  which  we  shall  now  have  to  find  out  for  our- 
selves instead,"  and  learning  where  he  was  likely  to  pro- 
cure horses,  Pascal  went  off  on  his  search.  He  was  soon 
back,  riding  one  horse  and  leading  another. 

"  The  city  is  much  quieter  this  morning.  I  had  a  talk 
with  the  man  where  I  got  these,"  he  reported,  "  and  he 
says  all  the  soldiers  who  were  searching  the  city  have 
been  recalled  to  the  Castle." 

"  And  about  the  gates?  " 

"  He  knew  nothing,  and  I  could  ask  no  more  than  a 
general  question,  or  I  might  have  stirred  suspicion.  Now, 
Madame  Burgher,"  he  said  to  Lucette,  and  there  was 
some  laughing  between  them  over  settling  her  in  the 
pillion.     But  Gerard  was  in  no  mood  to  see  any  objects 


3o6        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

for  jesting,  and  Gabrielle  was  so  pale  and  anxious  that 
Lucette  declared  it  was  a  good  thing  indeed  no  more  of 
her  features  could  be  seen. 

"  Now  for  a  bold  face  on  things  and  a  laugh  if  you 
can,  Lucette,"  cried  Pascal,  "  and  we'll  soon  see  whether 
an  honest  burgher  and  his  wife  cannot  ride  abroad  to- 
gether in  this  uncomfortable  fashion  on  a  fine  July  morn- 
ing." 

They  rode  slowly  toward  the  city  gate,  Gerard  and 
Gabrielle  following  some  distance  behind.  Pascal 
laughed  and  gestured  over  his  shoulder  to  Lucette,  until 
coming  in  sight  of  the  gate  he  said  exultantly — 

"  God  be  thanked,  it's  open,  Lucette.  We  shan't  be 
husband  and  wife  much  longer,  if  all  goes  well." 

"  A  thought  which  seems  to  give  you  consummate 
relief,"  she  answered. 

"  Aye,  the  responsibilities  of  a  husband  weigh  heavily 
on  me,  good  wife — as  heavily,  maybe,  as  the  double 
burden  on  this  good  patient  beast.  Good  morning,  mon- 
sieur," he  broke  off,  as  a  soldier  stepped  in  the  way  and 
held  up  his  hand.  But  Pascal  made  no  effort  to  check 
the  horse,  and  was  passing  on  with  a  nod  and  a  smile 
when  the  man  laid  a  hand  on  the  bridle  and  brought  the 
horse  to  a  stop. 

"  What  is  it,  monsieur  ?  "  asked  Pascal.  "  Cannot  an 
honest  man  and  his  wife  pass  on  his  business?" 

"  Yes,  monsieur.  All  those  who  are  known  to  us  can 
pass.  Dismount,  if  you  please,  and  come  to  the  officer 
of  the  gate." 

Pascal  mumbled  something  in  a  discontented  tone  and 
then  dismounted. 

He  gave  Lucette  one  glance  with  an  ominous  lift  of 
the  eyebrows.  She  understood  the  look — that  the  check 
was  a  very  ugly  one — but  with  an  admirably  feigned  air 
of  extreme  vexation,  she  exclaimed — 

"  How  you  bungle  things,  Pascal.     To  bring  me  out 


AT   THE    CITY   GATES  307 

like  this!  One  might  as  well  have  a  wooden  head  for 
a  husband." 

"  Peace,  scold,  peace.  It  is  no  fault  of  mine,"  he 
answered  crossly. 

And  the  soldier  smiled. 


.'  '5. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

HUNTED 

PASCAL  was  agreeably  surprised  when  the  officer 
to  whom  he  was  conducted,  a  man  of  some  thirty 
years  of  age  with  a  frank  face,  commenced  with 
a  quasi  apology. 

"  This  is  not  a  very  pleasant  duty  of  mine,  monsieur, 
but  you'll  understand  it  is  a  duty.  I  am  here  in  place 
of  Captain  Boutelle,  and  my  instructions  are  not  to  allow 
any  one  to  pass  the  gate  who  is  not  known.  But  as  I 
know  scarcely  any  one  while  he  knows  many,  it  is  rather 
a  hardship  for  the  citizens.     Your  name,  please?" 

"  Pascal  Tourelle."  The  officer  wrote  it  down,  saying 
the  while — 

"  I  am  sorry  I  do  not  recognize  you,  M.  Tourelle.' 
Your  occupation  ?  " 

"  Merchant — chiefly  in  steel  wares." 

"  You  are  not  of  Morvaix ;  your  accent  tells  me  that." 

"  I  am  of  Paris ;  my  master's  affairs  have  brought  me 
to  this  district." 

"Ah,  Paris !  "  exclaimed  the  officer.  "  I  envy  you, 
monsieur.     Married  ?  " 

"  My  wife  rides  with  me,"  said  Pascal. 

"  Her  name  ?  " 

"  Lucette."     The  officer  looked  up  with  a  quick  smile. 

"  Pardon  the  smile,"  he  said,  '*  but  the  name  is  unusual 
and  recalls  associations  for  me." 

"  The  devil  it  does !  Can  she  have  been  flirting  here 
as  well!"  was  Pascal's  thought,  but  he  looked  stolidly 

308 


HUNTED  309 

at  the  questioner  as  he  repHed,  producing  Dauban's 
pass — 

'*  I  can  save  your  time,  monsieur,  I  think.  I  have  a 
pass." 

"  The  date  is  yesterday's,"  and  the  officer  shook  his 
head.  '*  Did  you  mean  to  start  yesterday  ?  I  am  afraid 
it  is  no  use  to  me.  But  I  need  not  trouble  you  further 
except  in  one  very  simple  thing.  There  will  be  plenty 
of  citizens  who  know  you,  and  I  will  send  a  man  with 
you  to  any  one  who  will  identify  you.  I  don't  distrust 
your  word,  of  course,  but  I  am  compelled  to  do  this  work. 
And  the  Governor  of  Morvaix,  as  you  may  have  heard, 
is  somewhat  exacting.  I  am  really  sorry,"  he  said,  ris- 
ing.   ^'  Perhaps  Madame  Tourelle  will  await  you  here." 

It  was  most  courteously  suggested,  but  none  the  less 
embarrassing  on  that  account. 

"  I  think  not,  monsieur.  She  has  some  matters  to 
see  to,  I  believe,  which  our  earlier  departure  caused  her 
to  put  off  until  our  return  this  evening,  and  will  no 
doubt  prefer  to  see  to  them  now  while  I  fetch  a  citizen 
to  vouch  for  me.  For  the  present,  monsieur,  good  morn- 
ing. Accept  my  thanks  for  your  courteous  discharge  of 
an  unpleasant  duty." 

But  the  officer  was  not  to  be  shaken  off. 

"  I  should  have  been  glad  to  speak  with  her  of  Paris. 
It  is  some  years  since  I  was  there.  Ah,  Paris ! "  and 
he  sighed  as  if  in  pity  for  himself. 

"  When  I  return,  monsieur,  it  will  give  me  pleasure  to 
see  you  again.  I  will  not  trouble  you  to  send  a  man 
with  me,  but  will  bring  back  some  one  who  will  satisfy 
you  as  to  me." 

"  Nay,  monsieur,  it  is  no  more  than  a  form.  I  will 
send  a  man,"  and  while  he  turned  away  to  give  the 
necessary  instructions,  Pascal  hurried  out  to  Lucette. 

"  Go  back  to  Gerard,  and  tell  him  the  way  is  blocked. 
I'll  find  you  at  Babillon's.    Go  at  once,  for  God's  sake. 


3IO        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

The  officer  here  pricked  up  his  ears  at  your  name  and 
may  know  you." 

Lucette  drew  the  end  of  the  shawl  which  wrapped  her 
neck  and  shoulders  across  the  lower  part  of  her  face  as 
the  officer  came  out  and  looked  curiously  at  her. 

"  I  know  him,  indeed,"  she  said. 

"  Ah,  these  flirtings  of  yours,  Lucette !  "  whispered 
Pascal,  as  she  wheeled  the  horse  around.  "  Yes,  in  an 
hour,  here,"  he  added  aloud,  "  and  don't  keep  me  wait- 
ing. It  is  as  I  thought,  monsieur,  my  wife  will  return 
to  meet  me  here,"  he  said  lightly,  turning  to  the  officer, 
who  was  looking  very  intently  indeed  after  Lucette. 

"  Umph !  Curious !  A  strange  resemblance !  "  The 
words  were  muttered  in  a  low  whisper,  but  not  so  low 
as  to  escape  Pascal's  sharp  ears,  and  the  officer  gave  him 
a  quick  suspicious  glance.  Pascal's  easy  indifference 
appeared  to  reassure  him,  however.  "  Here's  the  man, 
monsieur,"  he  said. 

And  again  Pascal  cursed  his  luck.  It  was  the  soldier 
with  whom  he  had  made  friends  in  going  to  the  Castle 
the  preceding  day.  But  he  put  his  usual  bold  face  on 
the  matter  and  with  a  salutation  to  the  officer  went  off, 
leaving  the  man  to  follow  him. 

The  officer  looked  after  him  thoughtfully,  re-entered 
the  guard-house,  read  over  the  replies  to  his  question, 
and  pondered  them. 

"  I  must  be  wrong,"  he  mused.  "  But  if  so  no  harm 
can  be  done  in  having  her  followed.  *  Pascal  Tourelle 
of  Paris — and  Lucette ! '  I'll  send  the  names  to  Bou- 
telle  at  the  Castle  too,  and  be  prepared  against  their 
returning — if  they  do  return.  No,  there  might  be  trouble 
that  I  didn't  detain  them.  But  Pll  have  the  wife  fol- 
lowed." He  gave  directions  for  this  at  once,  and  thus 
laid  a  train  that  was  to  lead  to  serious  consequences. 

Meanwhile  Pascal  was  cudgelling  his  wits  how  to  get 
rid  of  his  companion,  and  felt  none  too  easy  under  the 


HUNTED  311 

sharp  glances  which  the  man  kept  casting  at  him,  as 
they  walked  side  by  side. 

"  Did  I  hear  your  name  was  Pascal  Tourelle,  mon- 
sieur ?  "  asked  the  soldier  suspiciously. 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  heard,  my  man,  but  it  is  my 
name.     Pascal  the  First,  that  is." 

"  You've  been  a  soldier,  monsieur,  haven't  you  ?  I 
judge  by  your  bearing." 

"  In  the  Paris  train  bands.  But  one  twin  was  as  much 
as  my  father  could  spare  to  the  army." 

"  Twin  ?  "  questioned  the  man  doubtingly. 

"  Yes,  twin.  Pascal  the  Second,"  laughed  Pascal.  "  A 
good  soldier  he  is  too;  and,  like  a  good  soldier,  with  a 
palate  for  good  wine  and  an  eye  for  a  pretty  face.  Lately 
come  to  Morvaix.  His  presence  brought  me  here. 
He's  at  the  Castle." 

"  I  know  him,"  was  the  reply,  with  a  smile  and  a  nod 
and  a  knowing  wink. 

"  What !  You  know  Pascal  the  Second !  "  and  he 
stopped  and  held  out  his  hand.  "  Any  comrade  of  his 
is  my  friend,  and  I  can  do  what  he  very  frequently  can't, 
pledge  the  friendship  in  a  flask  of  good  wine." 

"  You're  wonderfully  like  him,  and  to  bear  the  same 
hame  is  curious  too."     He  spoke  as  if  still  suspicious. 

"  Ah,  if  you  knew  the  devils  of  messes  he's  got  me  into 
in  Paris  with  this  same  name  which  my  father's  whim 
gave  us,  and  this  strange  likeness!  But  come,  where 
shall  we  have  the  wine  ?  " 

The  soldier  soon  found  a  wine  shop,  and  Pascal  plied 
him  freely  with  liquor,  a  second  flask  quickly  following 
the  first.  When  the  second  was  still  half  full  he  rose 
and  said — 

'•  We've  no  time  to  finish  it,  I  fear.  We  must  find  M. 
Grimaud,  the  leather  merchant,  who  will  vouch  for  me 
at  the  gate."     He  coined  the  name  at  a  venture. 

"  'Tis  a  pity  to  leave  it,"  said  the  soldier,  eyeing  the 
flask  wistfully.     "  I  don't  get  such  liquor  every  day." 


312 


A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 


"  It's  a  good  reason  for  your  staying  to  finish  it,  while 
I  fetch  M.  Grimaud." 

"You'll  come  back?" 

"  Nay,  if  you  wish  it,  I'll  stay,"  and  he  threw  himself 
back  on  to  his  seat  with  an  air  of  impatience,  "  Be 
quick,  my  good  friend." 

"  You'd  better  go.  It's  too  good  stuff  to  swallow  in 
gulps,"  and  the  soldier  winked  appreciatively,  as  he  emp- 
tied his  glass  leisurely  in  sips  and  re-filled  it. 

"  Well,  we'll  have  a  third  reason  in,  then.  Luck  waits 
on  odd  numbers,"  and  he  ordered  the  third  flask,  paid 
the  reckoning,  and  took  half  a  glassful. 

The  "  third  reason  "  carried  conviction,  and  when  Pas- 
cal next  rose  to  leave,  the  soldier  no  longer  raised  any 
objection. 

What  step  to  take  next  was  a  question  of  some  diffi- 
culty. The  experience  at  the  city  gate  had  shown  that 
Pascal  could  only  hope  to  leave  if  some  burgher  of 
importance  could  be  found  to  vouch  for  him,  and  the  first 
thought  was  to  try  and  find  some  one  who  would  do 
this.  But  where  to  go  ?  He  could  not  tell  who  were  for 
the  Castle  and  who  for  Malincourt,  and  to  look  for 
Babillon  was  pretty  much  like  looking  for  a  bullet  that 
had  missed  its  mark  and  buried  itself  somewhere  in  the 
ground. 

He  was  standing  in  the  market-place  gazing  about  him 
vaguely  and  debating  the  thing  when  a  stroke  of  fortune 
came  his  way.  He  caught  sight  of  Dubois  and  hurried 
after  him. 

The  old  soldier  was  in  a  gruff  mood. 

"  These  burghers  are  fools :  you  know  the  sort,  Pascal. 
Babblers,  gabblers,  brawlers,  windbags,  with  never  an 
ounce  of  resolution  in  the  lot,"  he  said  in  reply  to  Pas- 
cal's question  as  to  how  he  had  fared  with  them.  "  A 
cataract  of  talk  and  nothing  else." 

"  Well,  I  want  one  of  them  to  come  and  talk  now," 


HUNTED  313 

and  Pascal  told  him  what  had  occurred  and  what  was 
needed. 

"  They'll  come  and  make  you  a  speech,  a  round  hun- 
dred of  'em,"  said  Dubois,  with  a  gesture  of  contempt. 
"  But  I  would  not  trust  to  one  of  them  to  act  like  a 
sensible  man." 

"  But  can  you  find  one  to  identify  Gerard  and  get  him 
away  ?  " 

"  No.  They'd  think  I  had  scwne  underhand  plan  and 
waste  half  the  day  in  talking  about  it,  and  another  half 
in  making  up  their  minds  and " 

"  Stay,  man,  don't  take  example  by  them  or  you'll  split 
my  ear  drums  with  your  growling.     Can  it  be  done  ?  " 

"  Babilion  might  do  it." 

"Where  is  he?" 

"  I  don't  know." 

"  Where  are  you  going?  " 

"  Anywhere  out  of  the  reach  of  their  cackling.  They're 
going  to  meet  again  at  mid-day  for  some  more  babble — 
babble.     Why  did  you  all  leave  Malincourt  ?  " 

"  The  Governor  surrounded  it  and  made  two  attempts 
to  get  it  in  the  night." 

"  These  wise  men  say  they  waited  on  him  after  the 
firing  and  he  assured  them  there  was  to  be  nothing  more 
done,  and  that  he  intended  simply  to  sit  down  before 
the  maison  and  wait  for  you  all  to  come  out.  To  starve 
you  out,  that  meant.  He's  recalled  ail  the  search  parties ; 
you  can  see  that  for  yourself." 

"  Well,  we're  out  now,  and  want  to  leave  the  city." 

"  Where  are  you  to  be  found  ?  " 

"  At  Babillon's  house.     You  know  that  ?  " 

"  You'd  have  been  safer  in  the  maison.  I'll  do  this. 
I'll  try  and  find  Babilion,  and  if  I  succeed  in  getting 
some  one  to  vouch  for  you,  will  come  to  this  house. 
You  had  better  go  there  and  explain  things,  and  what 
mouthing  numskulls  these  precious  burghers  are." 


314        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  You'd  better  arrange  some  place  of  safety  in  case  we 
have  to  leave  Babillon's  and  can't  get  from  the  city." 

"  You'll  be  safe  enough  where  you  are,  if  what  they 
say  is  true,  that  the  Governor  thinks  you  are  all  still  in 
tlie  maison  and  means  to  keep  you  there." 

"  You'll  lose  no  time  ?  " 

"  Am  I  a  burgher  ?  "  and  with  this  last  growl  he  went 
away,  while  Pascal,  with  a  laugh,  hurried  to  Babillon's, 
and  reported  how  matters  had  gone,  and  that  there  was 
nothing  to  do  but  to  wait. 

When  a  chance  offered  he  spoke  to  Lucette  alone. 

"  I  have  said  nothing  yet,  but  I  am  not  quite  easy 
about  that  officer,  Lucette.  He  was  very  curious  about — 
Madame  Burgher ;  do  you  think  he  can  have  recognized 
jou  ?     Does  he  know  you  well  ?  " 

"  Is  it  M,  Burgher  questioning  now  ?  "  she  asked,  with 
a  glance. 

"  No.  We've  dropped  that ;  and  we're  waiting  to 
see  what  next.  Just  now  it's  some  one  a  good  deal  in 
earnest." 

"  Yes,  he  used  to  know  me  very  well." 

"  Is  he  another  of  them  ? "  He  could  not  resist  the 
jest,  and  she  laughed  back  with  a  toss  of  the  head. 

"  I  don't  of  course  understand  that.     I  won't,  I  mean." 

**  Do  you  think  he  can  have  sent  any  one  after  you 
to  make  sure  you  were  Madame  Burgher  ?  " 

"  Do  you  think  so?  "  She  was  serious  now.  "  I  don't 
know." 

"  How  did  you  get  rid  of  the  horses  ?  " 

^'  M.  Gerard  did  that." 

*'  I  must  speak  to  him  then.  A  very  little  slip  may 
have  very  big  results  to-day."  He  called  Gerard  aside 
and  told  him  his  doubts. 

"  I  took  the  horses  back  to  where  you  hired  them.  I 
dared  not  leave  them  standing  here.  I  passed  a  couple 
of  soldiers,  but  they  took  no  notice  of  me ;  and  of  course 
I  made  sure  that  no  one  followed  me  here." 


HUNTED 


315 


"  It  may  be  nothing,  but  when  that  soldier  gets  back 
and  this  tale  gets  carried  to  the  Castle  about  the  two  Pas- 
cals and  the  one  Lucette,  it  may  be  something — espe- 
cially if  de  Proballe's  cunning  ears  get  wind  of  it.  I 
wish  you  were  away." 

They  were  very  soon  to  have  proof  that  Pascal's  un- 
easiness had  only  too  solid  grounds.  They  waited  with 
much  impatience  for  Dubois'  coming,  and  when  he  came, 
about  an  hour  after  noon,  he  brought  a  grave  face  and 
very  serious  news. 

The  city  gates  had  been  shut  again  and  the  Gov- 
ernor's troops  were  once  more  searching  the  city ;  this 
time  systematically  from  house  to  house,  and  the  efforts 
of  the  search  parties  were  being  in  the  first  place  con- 
centrated on  that  part  of  the  city  in  which  Babillon's 
house  stood. 

"  I  passed  them  at  their  work,"  he  said,  "  and  only 
wonder  I  was  not  stopped.  You  cannot  stay  here,  or 
you  will  be  trapped." 

"  There  is  but  one  course  then,"  decided  Gerard. 
"  We  must  get  back  to  Malincourt." 

"  There  is  a  better  plan,"  said  Gabrielle.  "  Do  you 
go  alone,  Gerard,  in  your  monk's  gabardine.  He  has 
passed  the  soldiers,  and  you  will  do  so.  I  will  wait  f«r 
their  coming.  We  know  from  what  Babillon  told  us 
yesterday  and  what  Captain  Dubois  has  heard  from  the 
burghers,  that  no  harm  can  come  to  me.     Please." 

"  No,"  answered  Gerard  firmly.  "  One  thing  I  will 
not  do.  I  will  not  leave  you  within  that  madman's 
reach." 

"  But  it  is  you  he  seeks.  Would  it  not  be  safer.  Cap- 
tain Dubois,  for  him  to  go  alone?  And  you,  M.  Pascal, 
what  say  you  ?  " 

"  It  would  be  safer,"  agreed  the  captain. 

"  Dubois !  "  exclaimed  Gerard. 

"  I  speak  but  my  opinion,  my  lord.  I  should  take 
miladi's  advice.     I  will  answer  for  her  safety." 


3i6        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  I  cannot  consent." 

"It  will  be  too  late  to  do  anything  if  we  dally  in 
talking-,"  said  Dubois. 

"  We  will  go  together,  but  I  will  change  my  burgher's 
dress  for  a  monk's,"  and  he  hurried  from  the  room. 

"  I  am  only  a  monk  outwardly,  and  it  may  be  well  to 
have  an  officer  among  the  party,"  said  Dubois,  slipping 
off  his  gabardine  and  revealing  his  uniform  under  it. 

"  It's  too  late,"  said  Pascal,  who  was  at  the  window  as 
Gerard  re-entered.  *'  The  soldiers  are  already  in  the 
street.     The  chance  is  gone." 

Gerard  looked  very  grave  and  Dubois  smothered  an 
oath  in  his  moustache. 

'*  We  are  going  to  pay  a  heavy  price  for  our  mistake 
in  leaving  Malincourt,"  exclaimed  Gerard.  "  Still,  we 
can  but  make  the  attempt.     Come,  Gabrielle." 

"  Monsieur,  may  I  suggest  ?  "  put  in  Lucette  hurriedly. 
*'  There  is  a  chance  that  these  searchers  may  not  know 
Gabrielle.  Let  M.  Pascal  and  me  remain  here  to  wait 
for  them,  playing  your  parts,  while  you  hide  somewhere 
in  the  house.  When  they  find  us,  they  may  be  satisfied 
to  search  no  further  than  this  room,  and  you  will  be 
free  to  leave  when  they  have  gone.     If  M.  Pascal  will?  " 

"  It  is  well  suggested,"  declared  Pascal.  "  If  they  will 
not  know  you,  mademoiselle,"  he  added,  with  a  quizzing 
glance. 

"  I  do  not  know  all  the  officers,  monsieur,"  she  re- 
torted. 

Gerard  and  Gabrielle  both  protested  against  the  plan 
on  the  ground  of  its  danger  to  Lucette;  but  this  was 
overborne,  and  the  two  were  left  alone,  while  Gerard, 
Gabrielle  and  Dubois  went  with  Madame  Babillon  to  an 
upper  part  of  the  house. 

"  Rather  reversing  the  due  order,  this,  Lucette,"  said 
Pascal  lightly. 

"Due  order?" 


HUNTED  317 

"  Man  and  wife  an  hour  or  two  back,  and  now  we're 
only  betrothed,  you  see," 

"  M.  Pascal!"  she  cried,  laughing  and  blushing. 

"  By  your  leave,  not  Pascal,  but  Gerard — Gabrielle." 

"  I  wonder  what  we  ought  to  be  doing  when  they 
come.     I  fear  my  heart  is  beating  rather  wildly." 

"  Fitting  its  beats  to  the  occasion,  that's  all.  As  to 
what  we  should  do,  can't  you  find  a  suggestion  out  of 
your  experience  ?  " 

"  Cannot  you  ?  " 

"  I  think  we  ought  to  be  making  love — Gabrielle. 
That's  what  Gerard  would  be  doing,  I  expect." 

"  We're  doing  one  thing  that's  right,  at  any  rate. 
We're  talking  nonsense — Gerard." 

"  W^ell,  I  think  we  ought  to  play  our  parts  thor- 
oughly." 

"  Do  you  treat  everything  as  a  jest?  " 

"  Not  when  I'm  Gerard  to  your  Gabrielle.  It's  a  part 
I  could  play  in  real  earnest." 

"  I  think  Gerard  is  an  extremely  ridiculous  person." 

"  And  I  think  Gabrielle  a  very  charming — coquette." 

"  I  wish  they  would  come,  and  get  it  over.  I'm  a  sad 
coward,  and  am  getting  more  frightened  every  minute." 

"  Ah,  you're  anxious  to  break  the  engagement.  You'll 
break  your  Gerard's  heart."  He  was  listening  intently 
for  the  coming  of  the  soldiers,  and  jested  merely  that 
he  might  distract  her  thoughts  and  keep  up  her  spirits. 
"  It  will  be  awkward,  by  the  way,  if  the  officer  in  charge 
happens  to  be — another  of  them." 

"  You  seem  to  think  the  list  a  long  one,"  she  retorted 
with  a  shrug. 

"  Let  me  see.  To  begin  with  " — and  he  made  as  if  to 
tell  them  off  on  his  fingers. 

"  Never  mind,  thank  you.     I  can  count  for  myself." 

"  Your  eyes  make  me  ahnost  wish  I  could  count 
myself,"  he  laughed. 


3i8        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"If  my  eyes  were  speaking  my  thoughts " 

"  Well  ?  "  he  asked,  for  she  stopped. 

"  They  would  be  asking  how  many  hands  would  be 
needed  to  count — my  Gerard's." 

"  Oh,  my  hands  have  long  been  full.  Wait.  I  hear 
them,"  he  broke  off,  in  the  midst  of  a  laugh.  "  You  had 
better  be  in  my  arms  and,  when  the  door  opens,  break 
away  and  utter  my  name — I  mean  Gerard ;  and  then  act 
as  though  it  was  what  it  will  be — a  mistake." 

The  tramp  of  men  entering  the  house  was  heard,  and 
he  put  his  arm  round  her. 

"  Look  sad,"  he  whispered  hurriedly.  "  For  God's 
sake,  don't  smile  like  that." 

"  Oughtn't  I  to  like  to  have  your  arm  round  me  ?  You 
are  very  clumsy  about  it,  you  know — Gerard.  One 
might  think  you  had  had  no  practice." 

"  You  seem  to  know  how  things  should  be  done,"  he 
taughed. 

"  My  heart  is  beating  like  a  wild  thing." 

At  this  moment  a  heavy  hand  was  thrust  against  the 
door,  which  was  flung  open,  and  the  soldiers  entered. 

"  Gerard !  "  cried  Lucette,  "  look,  look,  the  soldiers," 
and  then  staring  wildly  at  the  men,  she  clapped  her  hand 
to  her  lips  and  with  a  cry  of  fear  fell  into  a  seat. 

"  Courage,  Gabrielle,  it  is  nothing,"  he  whispered,  in 
a  tone  loud  enough  to  be  heard,  and  bent  for  a  moment 
over  her  as  if  in  deep  concern.  Then  he  turned  to  the 
men.  "What  does  this  mean?"  he  demanded  angrily. 
W^ith  intense  satisfaction  he  recognized  two  of  his  own 
men  among  the  five  who  were  in  charge  of  a  sergeant, 
and  he  shot  at  them  a  warning  look. 

"  It  means  that  we're  in  luck,  monsieur,  I  think.  You 
must  come  with  us." 

"  Come  with  you  ?  Why  ?  Cannot  an  honest  mer- 
chant be  about  his  business  without  you  soldiers  hunt- 
ing him?  " 


HUNTED 


3>9 


"  Your  name,  monsieur," 

"  Tourelle.     Leave  me  in  peace." 

"  Christian  name,  please  ?  " 

"  Pascal.     You  are  an  insolent  fellow." 

"  And  mademoiselle's  name  ?  " 

"  It  is  no  concern  of  yours." 

"  I  heard  it,  monsieur,  and  yours  too.  Gerard  the  one 
and  Gabrielle  the  other.  That  is  enough  for  me.  You 
must  come  with  me." 

"  I  will  not.  Don't  you  dare  to  lay  a  finger  on  me" 
and  he  made  as  if  to  offer  a  resistance. 

"  You  can  explain  to  those  at  the  Castle,  monsieur. 
I  can  only  obey  orders." 

"  You  touch  me  at  your  peril.  I  am  an  honest 
burgher." 

"  It's  no  use,  monsieur.  You  can  see  that,"  and  at  a 
sign  from  him  two  of  the  men  stepped  forward. 

"  You  shall  pay  dearly  for  this  outrage,  and  if  I  had 
a  weapon " 

"  Ah,  but  you  haven't,"  was  the  blunt  reply ;  and  the 
two  soldiers  laid  their  hands  on  him. 

"  And  you  also,  mademoiselle,  please." 

The  little  comedy  was  well  acted  to  the  end,  and  Pascal, 
full  of  protests,  and  Lucette  in  tears,  were  led  away ;  the 
sergeant  unable  to  repress  a  smile  of  intense  satisfaction 
at  the  capture. 

They  bad  not  been  gone  long  before  the  others  came 
back  to  the  room. 

"  The  ruse  has  answered,  then,"  said  Gerard. 

"  How  brave  of  Lucette,"  exclaimed  Gabrielle.  "  I 
trust  no  harm  will  come  to  her  for  this." 

"  It  cannot.  It  is  but  a  few  hours  now  before  we  shall 
be  in  command  of  the  town  and  the  Castle  itself.  And 
those  hours  will  be  consumed  by  this  search.  Can  we, 
go,  Dubois  ?  " 

"  I  should  wait  a  while." 


320        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  I  am  in  a  fever  to  reach  Malincourt,"  replied  Gerard 
anxiously. 

"  I  should  not  counsel  our  going  so  far.  Could  you 
not  find  shelter  in  some  house  already  searched  ?  Indeed, 
why  not  remain  here  ?  " 

"  I  could  find  shelter  anywhere  in  Morvaix,"  declared 
Gabrielle. 

"  Then  think  of  some  place,  mademoiselle.  They  have 
been  working  from  east  to  west,  so  that  all  east  of  this 
is  safe.  There  were  two  of  our  men  in  the  party  just 
now,"  said  Dubois,  turning  to  Gerard.  "  They  must  be 
using  them  to  make  up  the  number  necessary." 

"  Good.  I  decide  for  Malincourt  and  should  like  an 
escort  of  them  to  take  us  there,"  he  answered,  and  then 
asked  again  whether  they  could  start. 

Dubois  went  to  the  window. 

"  A  thousand  hells !  "  he  exclaimed !  "  They  are  com- 
ing back  here.  They  must  have  found  out  the  mistake. 
Quick,  my  lord,  to  your  hiding  place  again !  No,  no,  by 
Heaven  1  what  fortune.  Four  out  of  five  of  the  men  are 
ours.     I  see  a  way.     Hide,  but  close  at  hand." 

He  threw  himself  into  a  chair  while  Gerard  and  Gabri- 
elle left  the  room. 

The  soldiers  came  hurrying  in. 
i      "  Well,  what  is  it  ?  "  he  asked  coolly. 
!,      "Who  are  you?" 

"  I  think  that's  a  question  I  should  put  to  you." 

"  I  am  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  search  party.  We 
are  looking  for  the  escaped  prisoners,  and  my  sergeant 
has  just  been  fooled  in  this  house.  Now,  monsieur,  who 
are  you  ?     And  do  you  know  of  this  ?  " 

"  I  am  Captain  Dubois,  comrade  of  Captain  Basset,  in 
charge  of  the  recently  arrived  troops.  These  are  some 
of  my  men,  I  see." 

The  men  saluted. 

**  Do  you  know  anything  of  this  trick  ?  " 


HUNTED 


321 


"  Monsieur !  "  exclaimed  Dubois  angrily.  "  Of  what 
do  you  accuse  me  ?  " 

"  I  make  no  accusation,  captain.  But  I  have  to  search 
the  house." 

"  Well,  send  your  men  to  search  it,"  and  Dubois  got  up 
and  stood  by  the  door,  thus  barring  the  way  out  of  the 
house.  If  the  officer  sent  the  Bourbon  men  they  would 
find  nothing,  he  knew ;  if  he  went  himself,  he  would  find 
more  than  he  would  be  allowed  to  take  away. 

The  officer  hesitated  a  moment  and  then  decided — 

"  I'll  search  for  myself  and  trust  my  own  eyes  this 
time." 

"  It's  all  one  to  me,"  answered  Dubois  with  a  shrug. 

Three  men  were  called  on  to  accompany  the  officer, 
and  all  four  were  leaving  the  room,  when  Gerard,  who 
had  heard  what  had  passed,  met  him  at  the  door. 

"  Ah !  "  was  the  officer's  significant  exclamation  at 
sight  of  him,  "  as  I  thought,"  and  he  turned  with  a  smile 
of  triumph  to  Dubois. 

But  the  smile  died  away  instantly. 

Dubois  war,  standing  before  the  door  with  his  drawn 
sword  in  his  hand. 

It  was  he  who  smiled  now,  and  a  grim,  significant, 
dangerous  smile  it  was. 


CHAPTER  XXVlll 

A  RISING  AND  ITS  SEQUEL 

THE  dificer  stared  with  growing  anger,  first  at 
Dubois,  then  back  at  Gerard,  and  lastly  at  the 
four  of  his  men  who  had  moved  away  and  left 
him  and  the  one  Castle  soldier  alone  in  the  middle  of 
the  room. 

"Is  this  mutiny?"  he  cried  furiously,  drawing  his 
sword. 

"  I'll  answer  that,"  said  Dubois.  "  It  would  be  a 
mutiny  if  they  were  to  turn  against  their  own  officer. 
And  they  will  not.  This  is  my  doing,  and  the  respon- 
sibility is  mine.  I  will  not  let  you  take  your  prisoners 
away." 

"  We'll  see  to  that.  Jean,  if  that  man  does  not  stand 
from  the  door,  you  will  fire  at  him."  The  musket  was 
levelled.  "  Now,  monsieur,  if  you  please,  stand  from  the 
door,"  he  cried  sternly. 

But  the  musket  was  not  fired.  Gerard  stepped  swiftly 
behind  the  man,  seized  his  weapon  and  dragged  it  from 
him. 

"  We  can  have  no  firing  here,"  he  said  quietly. 

"  You  will  resist  capture  at  your  peril ;  "  and  the  officer 
turned  on  him. 

"  I  am  quite  prepared  for  that,  captain,"  interposed 
Dubois ;  "  but  it  is  you  who  are  in  peril,  not  we.  You 
will  give  me  your  sword." 

The  officer  appealed  almost  fiercely  to  the  four  men. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  stand  by  and  v/itness  this  ?  You  will 
pay  for  it  if  you  do  with  your  lives." 

"  My  soldiers  are  not  trained  to  man-hunting,  mon- 

322 


A    RISING    AND    ITS    SEQUEL      :i22 

sieur,"  said  Dubois.  "  Come,  we  have  wasted  enough 
time.     Will  you  surrender  to  us  ?  " 

The  answer  was  a  swift  rush  and  an  attack,  which 
Dubois  parried  with  the  coolness  of  a  wary  and  practised 
fencer.  The  four  soldiers  looked  on  stolidly,  and  the 
one  who  had  been  disarmed  watched  the  duel  with  the 
staring  gaze  of  bewilderment  and  alarm. 

It  lasted  but  a  minute  or  two,  when  Dubois,  forcing 
the  fight  with  irresistible  vigour,  drove  his  antagonist 
back  till,  stepping  on  the  fallen  musket,  he  tripped  and 
fell,  and  his  sword  went  clattering  out  of  his  hand  over 
the  boards. 

Dubois  picked  it  up,  and  sheathed  his  own  weapon. 
At  that  moment  the  Castle  soldier  made  a  dash  for  the 
door  to  escape,  only  to  be  stopped  by  two  of  the  Bour- 
bon men. 

"  You  should  not  have  driven  me  to  this,  monsieur," 
said  Dubois  in  a  tone  of  quiet  authority.  The  officer 
had  risen  and  stood  with  folded  arms,  his  face  flushed 
with  anger  and  his  brow  sullen  with  the  chagrin  and 
humiliation  of  his  ignominious  failure.  "  You  must 
accompany  me.  No  harm  will  come  to  you  if  you  obey. 
But  we  are  resolute  men,  and  our  lives  may  be  at  stake." 
He  signed  to  his  own  soldiers  to  bring  the  prisoner 
along,  and  all  left  the  room. 

"  What  is  he  going  to  do,  Gerard  ?  "  asked  Gabrielle. 
"  How  terrible  he  looked  in  that  fight." 

"  He's  a  strenuous  antagonist  to  face  at  such  a  time ; 
but  he  meant  only  to  disarm  the  other.  He  could  have 
killed  him  half  a  dozen  times  had  he  been  so  minded. 
He  has  done  splendidly." 

"  But  what  next  ?     We  cannot  stay  here  now." 

"  No,  indeed,  for  we  shall  have  more  of  the  Castle 
men  here  soon  to  learn  the  cause  of  the  delay." 

"What  can  have  happened  to  Lucette?  Dear,  brave 
Lucette." 


324        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  We  are  fast  nearing  the  end  of  our  troubles,  Gabri- 
elle.  D'Alembert  should  be  up  by  nightfall  at  latest  if 
all  has  gone  well  with  our  couriers,  and  we  ought  to  be 
in  Malincourt  within  an  hour,  where  we  can  wait  for 
him  in  safety." 

Dubois  and  the  four  soldiers  returned  then,  Dubois 
dressed  in  the  uniform  of  a  Castle  man ;  and  Gabrielle 
could  not  restrain  a  little  cry  of  astonishment  at  recog- 
nizing him,  while  Gerard  smiled  as  he  divined  his  in- 
teiition. 

"  My  plan  is,  my  lord,  that  we  use  our  men  and  play 
the  guard  to  escort  you  and  mademoiselle  as  prisoners 
through  the  streets.  We  have  secured  the  captain  and 
his  man,  so  that  they  can  give  us  no  trouble." 

"  And  a  good  plan  it  is,  Dubois,"  agreed  Gerard.  "  We 
are  well  through  an  ugly  business,  thanks  to  you.  The 
sooner  we  start  the  better." 

It  was  about  two  hours  after  noon  when  they  left 
Babillon's  house ;  but  while  they  had  been  sheltered  there 
events  had  occurred  which  had  set  the  whole  of  the  little 
city  in  a  ferment. 

The  first  cause  had  been  slight :  a  very  trifle ;  no 
more  than  .the  young  lieutenant's  curiosity  at  Lucette's 
name  at  the  attempt  to  pass  the  gate.  He  had,  in  the 
first  place,  sent  men  to  follow  her ;  and  although  she  had 
reached  Gerard  and  Gabrielle  and  got  well  away  undis- 
covered, the  pursuit  had  been  far  from  fruitless.  Two 
of  the  men  loitering  about  had  seen  Gerard  when  he 
returned  with  the  horses. 

They  were  making  their  report  of  this  when  the  soldier 
whom  Pascal  had  tricked  returned  without  him,  and  in 
a  semi-intoxicated  muddle  had  told  the  story  of  two 
Pascals.  Alarmed  by  this,  the  lieutenant  had  sent  at 
once  to  the  Castle,  with  the  result  that  instant  and  most 
vigorous  measures  were  taken  to  trace  the  fugitives. 
The  fact  that  the  horses  had  been  obtained  at  no  jrreat 


A    RISING    AND    ITS   SEQUEL      32$ 

distance  from  Babillon's  house  caused  that  district  to  be 
searched  first,  while  large  numbers  of  patrol  parties  were 
sent  through  the  city. 

This  step  roused  the  citizens  again,  and  despite 
Dubois'  opinion  as  to  the  indecision  of  the  burgher  lead- 
ers, they  had  resolved  to  take  active  measures ;  while 
the  bulk  of  the  citizens,  inflamed  by  their  long-standing 
wrongs,  were  quickly  on  fire  when  the  soldiers  turned 
out  and  the  news  spread  that  they  were  hunting  for 
Gabrielle. 

All  the  elements  for  a  collision  were  thus  present,  and 
the  streets  were  thronged  with  the  people,  who  eyed  the 
soldiers  with  lowering  looks  of  deadly  hate,  and  needed 
but  a  little  provocation  to  drive  them  to  open  and  vio- 
lent revolt. 

And  that  provocation  the  Governor  himself  aflForded 
at  the  very  time  when  Gerard  and  his  little  party  were 
endeavouring  to  escort  Gabrielle  to  Malincourt. 

The  Governor,  hearing  of  the  danger  of  trouble  in  the 
city,  hurried  from  the  Castle  with  the  intention  of  con- 
ferring with  the  chief  burghers  and  renewing  the  assur- 
ances already  given  that  no  harm  threatened  Gabrielle; 
and  he  chanced  to  reach  the  market-place  just  when  the 
crowd  was  in  its  most  dangerous  temper. 

In  the  centre  of  the  market-place  the  officers  who  were 
conducting  the  search  had  taken  up  a  position,  guarded 
by  a  number  of  troops,  and  to  them  all  the  prisoners  cap- 
tured by  the  patrols  and  search  parties  were  brought  for 
purposes  of  identification.  The  crowd,  constantly  swell- 
ing in  numbers,  watched  the  proceedings  with  intense 
indignation.  Jeers  and  groans  greeted  the  arrival  of 
every  prisoner,  and  loud  flouting  laughter  went  up  when- 
ever a  prisoner  was  identified  and  released,  accompanied 
by  threatening  murmurs  of  discontent  and  anger. 

At  length  stones  began  to  be  thrown,  and  when  one 
struck  the  officer  in  command  in  the  face  the  crowd 


326        A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

raised  a  wild  shout  of  delight.  Smarting  under  the 
blow,  he  ordered  the  crowd  to  be  charged.  Several  were 
wounded,  and  the  sight  so  enraged  the  rest  that  volleys 
of  stones  came  from  other  directions  just  as  the  Gov- 
ernor rode  up. 

His  first  command  was  for  the  market-place  to  be 
cleared.  This  was  done,  for  the  crowd  broke  and  fled 
before  the  weapons  of  the  troops;  and  a  great  number 
of  the  citizens  were  caught,  stones  in  hand,  and  brought 
back  to  the  Governor.  His  temper  was  up  now,  and 
threatening  them  with  heavy  punishment,  he  ordered 
the  whole  of  them  to  be  marched  to  the  Castle  by  the 
troops. 

The  fear  of  a  rescue  necessitated  the  escort  being  very 
heavy,  and  this  step  left  the  troops  round  him  compara- 
tively weak  in  numbers.  When  the  crowd  began  to 
return,  some  one  was  quick  to  perceive  this  weakness^ 
and  called  on  the  rest,  who  came  surging  back  in  great 
strength,  A  very  ugly  rush  followed  almost  immedi- 
ately, which  the  troops  found  great  difficulty  in  resist- 
ing, as  the  crowd  had  now  armed  themselves  with  staves 
and  bars  and  such  crude  weapons  as  they  had  been  able 
to  snatch  up  in  the  hurry.  Some  very  hot  fighting  en- 
sued, in  which  fierce  blows  were  given  and  taken  on 
both  sides,  and  the  soldiers  seemed  likely  to  be  over- 
powered. 

It  was  at  this  juncture,  just  as  messengers  had  been 
sent  to  bring  up  more  troops,  that  Gerard's  little  party 
reached  the  market-place  close  to  the  point  near  the 
statue,  where  the  Governor  stood  watching  the  fray  with 
very  anxious  eyes  as  he  saw  his  soldiers  being  beaten 
down  one  by  one.  The  crowd  seemed  to  grow  in  num- 
bers and  fierceness  every  moment,  until  after  a  last  des- 
perate rush  the  soldiers  turned  and  scattered  in  all  direc- 
tions to  be  hustled,  struck  down  and  lost  in  the  surging 
mass  of  the  people,  whose  leaders  had  possessed  them- 


A    RISING    AND    ITS    SEQUEL      327 

selves  of  the  soldiers'  weapons,  and  now  threatened  the 
Governor  himself  and  the  handful  of  men  who  were 
clustered  round  him. 

**  Long  live  Malincourt !  Long  live  Malincourt ! 
Down  with  the  Tyrant !  Remember  our  wrongs ! " 
were  the  cries  in  hundreds  of  strenuous  voices  on  all 
sides;  and  after  a  hot  exchange  of  words  between  the 
leaders  and  the  Governor,  one  of  those  near  him  was 
struck,  and  the  blow  was  the  signal  for  an  attack  on  the 
rest,  who  were  beaten  back  helpless  against  the  resistless 
anger  of  the  populace.  It  appeared  certain  that  the  next 
moment  would  see  the  Governor  himself  in  the  hands  of 
the  crowd,  whose  passions,  nurtured  on  their  long  en- 
dured wrongs  and  whetted  now  by  their  victory,  were 
roused  to  such  a  pitch  of  fury  that  they  would  have  torn 
him  to  pieces. 

The  Governor,  now  fear-filled  and  terror-cowed,  stood 
shrinking  against  the  statue  from  the  sea  of  angry 
menacing  faces  which  glared  round  him  when  Gerard, 
who  had  forced  his  way  through  the  throng,  sprang 
between  the  cowering  figure  and  the  mob,  and  with 
uplifted  hand  cried  in  a  commanding  voice  that  rose 
above  the  din — 

"  Mademoiselle  de  Malincourt  is  safe.     She  is  here." 

He  pointed  to  where,  on  the  fringe  of  the  crowd, 
Gabrielle  stood  with  Dubois;  and  for  a  moment  there 
was  a  lull  in  the  storm  as  the  crowd  craned  their  necks 
for  a  glimpse  of  her. 

But  the  sense  of  wrong,  the  thirst  for  vengeance,  the 
hate  of  the  Tyrant  and  the  sight  of  him  now  almost 
within  touch  of  the  hands  outstretched  to  seize  him,  soon 
re-kindled  the  flame,  and  the  clamour  broke  out  again, 
and  now  was  directed  also  against  this  daring  monk 
•who  stood  between  them  and  their  prey. 

"  Down  with  the  monk !     Death  to  the  Tyrant !  " 

The  cry  began  near  at  hand,  and  was  caught  up  by 


328        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

those  round  until  it  swelled  into  a  loud  roar,  vehement, 
menacing  and  perilous. 

"  Save  me,  save  me,"  said  the  Governor,  cowering  now 
between  the  statue  and  Gerard,  who,  undaunted  by  the 
angry  faces  and  clenched  and  threatening  hands,  faced 
the  mob,  and  again  sent  his  voice  ringing  like  a  clarion 
among  them. 

"  Peace !  Are  ye  men  that  would  do  this  violence  ? 
Miladi  of  Malincourt  is  safe." 

Once  more  his  commanding  presence  and  fearless 
calm  stilled  them  for  a  pause ;  and  before  the  storm 
could  break  out  again  a  strange  change  came. 

Gabrielle  had  seen  Gerard's  peril,  and  believing  that 
he  would  be  the  next  victim  of  the  mob,  had  made  herself 
known  to  the  people  around  her,  who  broke  out  into 
shouts  of  joy,  and  amid  a  storm  of  cries  and  cheers  she 
passed  through  the  ranks,  mounted  the  steps  of  the 
statue  and  took  her  stand  by  Gerard's  side. 

A  thunder  of  cheers  greeted  her  appearance,  and  the 
air  was  rent  with  cries  of  "  Long  live  Malincourt !  " 

But  the  danger  was  not  over  yet,  for  when  the  Gov- 
ernor, gathering  some  courage  from  the  changed  temper 
of  the  mob,  showed  himself  for  a  moment  at  Gabrielle's 
side,  the  cheers  changed  with  ominous  suddenness  to 
shouts  and  execrations  and  groans  in  the  same  deafening 
clamour. 

"  For  God's  sake,  save  me  from  them,"  he  said,  slirink- 
ing  again  behind  Gerard.  "  They  will  tear  me  to 
pieces." 

"  May  we  promise  them  an  end  to  their  sufferings  ?  '* 
asked  Gabrielle. 

"  Yes,  yes,  anything.  I  will  do  anything.  My  God, 
anything!  " 

"  Down  with  the  Tyrant.  Give  him  to  us.  Death 
to  the  Tiger  of  Morvaix !  "  came  the  cries,  with  even 
fiercer  vehemence. 


A    RISING    AND    ITS    SEQUEL      329 

Again  Gerard  stood  with  uplifted  hand. 

"  Peace !  "  he  called.  "  Miladi  of  Malincourt  will 
speak  to  you." 

At  this  the  cheers  came  again  as  Gabrielle,  with 
heightened  colour,  waited  for  silence. 

"  I  beg  you  listen  to  me.  I  bring  you  peace,  and  in 
the  name  of  the  Governor  I  promise  you  an  end  to  your 
wrongs  and  sufferings." 

The  cheers  rang  out  ag^in,  and  as  they  died  down 
some  voices  called :  "  We  are  starving.  What  of  the 
tax  on  our  food  ?  " 

"  It  shall  be  repealed,"  said  the  Governor. 

"  The  Governor  pledges  his  word  it  shall  be  repealed," 
cried  Gabrielle.  A  deafening  storm  of  wild  joyous 
shouts  burst  out  with  mighty  cries  of  "  God  bless  Mafin- 
court !     Long  live  Miladi  of  Malincourt !  " 

"  Will  he  keep  his  promise  ?  "  cried  a  stentorian  voice. 

"  I  pledge  my  honour." 

Gerard  repeated  this  in  his  ringing  tone. 

"  The  Governor  pledges  his  honour  as  a  noble  of 
France  to  repeal  the  tax — a  pledge  no  man  dare  break." 

"  You  have  saved  my  life,  mademoiselle,  you  and  this 
monk,"  said  the  Governor,  not  recognizing  Gerard,  who 
had  kept  his  face  carefully  averted,  and  now  drew  his 
cowl  closer. 

"  We  have  saved  the  people,"  answered  Gabrielle, 
whose  eyes  were  shining  with  the  excitement  of  the 
scene. 

"  Get  me  away  if  you  can,"  said  the  Governor  next. 
"  Oh,  thank  God,  thank  God,  at  last !  "  he  cried  with  a 
sudden  change  of  tone,  as  a  volley  of  musketry  was 
heard,  and  a  large  body  of  mounted  troops  dashed 
through  the  crowd  and  mustered  in  force  round  the 
statue,  on  the  base  of  which  the  three  stood. 

With  the  troops  round  him,  the  Governor's  courage 
returned,  and  as  his  fears  vanished  his  true  nature  re- 
asserted itself.     He  scowled  at  the  crowd. 


330        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Charge  them,  charge  them,  the  canaille !  "  he  cried 
passionately.  "  Cut  them  down,  the  dogs.  To  threaten 
me !     Give  them  the  steel !  " 

"  My  lord,  is  this  keeping  your  pledge?  "  asked  Gerard 
indignantly. 

"  You  did  well,  sir  monk,  you  saved  my  life,  and  shall 
have  fitting  reward;  but  this  is  my  business." 

"  You  pledged  your  honour  as  a  noble  of  France,  my 
lord  Duke,"  protested  Gerard. 

At  this  moment  de  Proballe  broke  through  the  troops 
and  came  hurrying  to  the  Governor. 

"  You  are  not  hurt,  my  lord,  I  trust,"  he  cried. 

"  It  is  not  your  fault  that  I  was  not  torn  to  pieces  by 
the  mob.  But  for  mademoiselle,  your  niece,  and  this 
good  monk,  who  stopped  the  mob  in  the  moment  of 
frenzy,  I  should  have  been." 

"  My  God ! "  exclaimed  de  Proballe,  recognizing 
Gerard.  "  Do  you  know  who  that  monk  is  ?  The  vil- 
lain de  Cobalt!" 

The  Governor,  who  stood  close  to  Gerard,  stepped 
back  hastily,  as  if  in  fear  of  some  treachery,  and  when 
at  a  safe  distance  scowled  at  him  with  eyes  of  hate. 

"  It  is  well,"  he  said  between  his  teeth,  "  I  promised 
you  a  fitting  reward.  You  shall  have  it."  He  smiled, 
and  turning  to  the  soldiers  near  him,  he  ordered: 
"  Arrest  him." 

"  You  will  not  do  this,  my  lord.  You  cannot  be  so 
cowardly,"  cried  Gabrielle,  putting  herself  before  Ge- 
rard.    But  this  act  only  served  to  infuriate  him. 

"  Arrest  him,  I  say,"  he  repeated.  "  It  is  I  rule  here, 
mademoiselle,  not  you.  You  shall  not  protect  him  and 
cannot  save  him  from  the  fate  he  merits.  You  have 
done  enough  ill  for  the  people  already." 

"  This  injustice  shall  not  be  done,"  declared  Gabrielle 
indignantly. 

"  You  will  answer  for  this  to  me,  my  lord  Duke,  as 


A    RISING    AND    ITS   SEQUEL     331 

the  son  of  your  Suzerain,"  said  Gerard,  stepping  for- 
ward. 

"  Yes.  I  will  answer  to  you  and  for  you ;  and  answer 
now,  in  this  way." 

He  signed  to  the  soldiers,  who  then  laid  hands  on 
Gerard. 

"  I  will  appeal  to  the  people,"  cried  Gabrielle  ve- 
hemently. 

"  There  shall  be  substance  for  your  appeal,  too,"  he 
replied.  He  was  like  a  man  beside  himself  with  passion. 
"  He  shall  not  escape  me  again.  Have  a  space  cleared 
there,"  he  thundered  to  his  men.  "  Bring  up  a  file  of 
men.  This  man  is  a  spy  and  the  ringleader  of  all  the 
tumults  to-day.  He  is  condemned  to  death,  and  shall 
die  now." 

Even  his  officers  stood  aghast  at  this. 

"  I  demand,  at  .east,  the  appearance  of  a  trial,"  said 
Gerard  calmly. 

"  You  have  been  tried  already.  I  know  your  crimes, 
and  have  tried  and  condemned  you.  Do  as  I  say,"  he 
thundered  to  the  officers,  "  or  by  the  God  of  Heaven  I 
shall  know  how  to  deal  with  those  who  mutiny  against 
me. 

"  I  am  the  son  of  the  Duke  of  Bourbon,  and  in  his 
name  I  command  you  to  disregard  the  Governor's  order/' 
said  Gerard  in  a  loud,  firm  tone. 

"  It  is  a  lie,  a  lie.     Disobey  me  at  your  peril." 

Two  of  the  officers  approached  and  were  venturing 
upon  a  remonstrance,  when  the  Governor,  mad  with  his 
rage,  struck  one  of  them  a  violent  blow  on  the  face  and 
himself  called  up  a  file  of  the  soldiers. 

"  Bring  that  villain  here,"  he  said  to  the  men  who  held 
Gerard.     They  were  too  frightened  to  disobey  him. 

Gabrielle  watched  with  bated  breath,  and  was  spring- 
ing forward  to  again  interfere  when  de  Proballe  put 
himself  in  her  way. 


23^        A   COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  My  lord,  my  lord,"  she  cried  in  an  agony  of  distress 
and  fear.     "  I  urge  you,  I  beg  you  not  to  do  this  thing." 

But  the  Governor  was  deaf  to  her  entreaty,  and  hav- 
ing drawn  up  the  file  of  men,  stood  by  them,  and  himself 
gave  the  command  in  a  voice  thick  with  rage. 

Gerard  faced  the  men  without  a  tremor. 

"  There  will  be  a  heavy  reckoning  for  all  concerned 
in  this,"  he  said ;  and  his  voice  was  as  calm  and  steady 
as  before. 

The  Governor's  command  rang  out  stern  and  sharp, 
and  the  guns  went  up  to  the  men's  shoulders. 

Then,  with  a  scream,  Gabrielle  tore  herself  from  de 
Proballe,  and  snatching  a  sword  from  an  officer  as  she 
passed,  rushed  in  front  of  Gerard  and  held  it  to  her 
heart. 

"  If  he  dies,  I  will  plunge  this  to  my  heart,  and  my 
blood,  with  his,  shall  cry  for  vengeance  upon  you." 

The  Governor  listened,  his  angry  eyes  fixed  on  Gabri- 
elle. 

"And  if  he  lives?" 

"  I  will  do  all  you  have  asked." 

^'  No,"  cried  Gerard  loudly.  "  I  will  not  take  my  life 
on  such  a  condition." 

A  moment's  pause  of  acute  suspense  followed.  Then 
the  Governor  nodded  and  said  curtly — 

"  It  is  enough.  You  have  saved  his  life,  mademoiselle. 
He  shall  go  free.     But  first  take  him  to  the  Castle." 

And  in  a  few  minutes  the  troops  were  on  their  way 
to  the  Castle,  with  Gerard  in  their  midst,  once  more  a 
prisoner. 


CHAPTER    XXIX 

IN   THE   HALL  OF  AUDIENCE 

SOME  three  or  four  hours  after  the  rioting  in 
the  market-place,  Pascal  and  Lucette,  who  had 
been  hurried  to  the  Castle  from  Babillon's  house, 
were  led  to  the  Great  Hall  of  Audience  and  placed  in 
the  midst  of  the  large  crowd  of  townsfolk  who  had  been 
taken  prisoners  by  the  troops. 

They  were  all  herded  together  in  a  space  about  mid- 
way down  the  southern  side  of  the  Great  Hall,  in  a 
space  set  apart  by  strong  barriers  and  guarded  by  a  ring 
of  soldiers.  Two  other  companies  of  soldiers  were  pres- 
ent, each  about  fifty  in  number,  and  they  were  drawn  up 
one  on  each  side  of  the  dais  at  the  eastern  end,  where 
stood  the  Governor's  seat  of  audience  and  judgment. 

Nearly  all  the  prisoners  had  been  injured  in  the  con- 
flict, and  carried  some  grim  evidences  of  the  strife. 
Those  whose  wounds  were  serious  wore  such  blood- 
stained bandages,  dressings  and  slings  as  they  had  been 
able  to  improvise ;  but  for  the  most  part  the  wounds  were 
undressed,  and  the  men  appeared  just  as  they  had  been 
taken,  with  hair  and  faces  grimed  with  blood  and  dirt, 
and  clothes  torn  and  jagged  by  the  soldiers'  weapons, 
making  a  gruesome  sight,  which  moved  Lucette  alter- 
nately to  shrinking  repulsion  and  tender  pity. 

"  There  must  have  been  terrible  fighting,"  she  said 
to  Pascal,  for  they  knew  nothing  of  what  had  passed, 
and  had  been  told  merely  that  they  were  to  be  tried 
immediately" >  with  the  rest  of  the  prisoners,  for  their 

333 


334        A   COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

share  in  the  day's  work.  "  I  wonder  what  has  hap- 
pened." 

"  We  can  find  that  out ;  I  will  question  some  of  the 
men,"  he  replied.  "  But  I  would  rather  know  what  is 
going  to  happen." 

"  I  am  afraid  we  shall  find  that  out  too  quite  as  quickly 
as  we  wish ; "  and  Lucette  glanced  nervously  about  her 
at  the  men  who  were  guarding  the  prisoners.  She  gave 
a  little  shiver  of  fear  as  her  eyes  fell  on  the  Governor's 
seat,  and  speculated  anxiously  what  the  ceremonious  and 
somewhat  terrifying  preparations  boded  to  them  all. 
From  that  her  gaze  passed  to  the  soldiers  gathered  about 
the  dais,  whom  she  scrutinized  closely;  and  just  as  Pas- 
cal returned  from  questioning  their  fellow-prisoners,  she 
uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise  and  pleasure. 

"  Monsieur  Pascal,"  she  whispered  eagerly,  "  there 
is  Captain  Dubois." 

"Dubois?    Where?" 

"  There,  among  the  soldiers  on  the  right  of  the  Gov- 
ernor's seat:  thirteenth,  fourteenth,  fifteenth — ^yes,  fif- 
teenth in  the  second  row.  counting  from  the  dais  to  the 
right.     I  am  sure  it's  he.     Do  you  see  him  ?  " 

"  See  him  ?  I  see  more  than  him.  Every  man  in  the 
ranks  there  is  ours,  and  Bassot  himself  is  in  command. 
We  shall  see  something  before  we  are  many  hours 
older,  or  I  am  no  Bourbon." 

''  Where  can  Gabrielle  be?    And  M.  Gerard?" 

"  So  far  as  I  gather,  he  is  a  prisoner ;  but  the  men 
here  know  little.  There  has  been  a  riot  in  the  market- 
place ;  and  these  are  some  of  the  rioters.  They  have 
been  told  only  that  they  are  to  be  tried  now." 

"  Then  they  cannot  have  reached  Malincourt.  Oh,  I 
wonder  what  they  will  do  to  us,"  cried  Lucette. 

"  I  know  how  I  would  punish  you  were  I  the  judge." 

"  I  would  trust  you,"  she  smiled. 

"  You  wouldn't  like  the  punishment  any  more  than  I 


IN  THE  HALL  OF  AUDIENCE      33^ 

like  the  results  of  your  act."  His  tone  was  half  earnest 
half  jest ;  and  she  looked  up  puzzled, 

''What  is  my  crime?" 

"  You  have  given  us  splendid  help  in  many  ways ; 
but  I'm  sadly  out  if  our  last  mischances  are  not  to  be 
traced  to  that  habit  of  yours — of  making  fools  of  us 
men." 

"  Sadly  out !  I'm  sadly  out  if  you  did  not  say  that 
with  a  rare  spice  of  relish.  Sadly,  indeed !  Is  this  one 
of  M.  Burgher's  curtain  lectures?" 

"If  you  were  still  Madame  Burgher,  it  might  be," 
he  laughed. 

"  But  I've  gone  back  to  Lucette,  thank  you,  monsieur." 

"  Aye,  the  Lucette  whom  the  officer  at  the  gate  rec- 
ognized." 

She  understood  him  then.    "You  don't  think ?" 

she  said  eagerly. 

"  What  I  don't  think  is  not  of  much  account.  But  I 
do  think  that  any  man  who  has  once  been  under  fire 
from  your  dark  eyes  would  not  readily  forget  them. 
He  had  not  forgotten  them,  and  they  set  him  thinking 
too." 

"  Oh,  how  cruel  you  are !     To  blame  me  in  this  way." 

"  Blame  you?  It  is  the  fortune  of  things.  But  if  you 
think  there's  a  lesson  in  the  thing,  that  good  fellow  of 
yours,  Denys  St.  Jean,  mightn't  be  sorry  if  you  learnt 
it.  A  thing  of  that  sort  is  pretty  much  like  a  forest  fire : 
you  can  start  it  easily,  but  you  never  know  what  may  be 
burnt  or  how  far  it  may  spread  before  it's  put  out." 

"  I  ought  to  be  grateful  to  you  for  first  frightening 
and  then  lecturing  me  at  a  time  like  this,"  cried  Lucette 
angrily. 

"  My  punishment  to  you  would  be  to  sentence  you  to 
stop  it  for  the  future.  That's  all.  And  now  I've  said 
my  say,"  he  answered ;  and  then,  with  a  reassuring  laugh, 
added :    "  As  for  this,  it  will  be  nothing.     Have  no  fear. 


23^        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

We  may  have  a  farce  of  a  trial  and  a  sentence  after  this 
Tiger's  manner ;  but  before  he  can  do  anything,  the 
tables  will  be  turned  on  him,  and  he  is  not  unlikely  to 
find  himself  where  we  are.  Have  no  fear,  and  don't  be 
surprised  at  anything  that  happens." 

Lucette  was  silent  for  a  while,  her  manner  a  mixture 
of  vexation  and  regret. 

"  Shall  I  say  I  have  learnt  my  lesson,  monsieur  ?  "  she 
asked  with  a  look  half  mocking,  half  serious.  "  Your 
words  have  hurt  me." 

"  I  fear  you've  but  a  poor  memory  for  lessons, 
Lucette." 

"  Ah,  you  are  unendurable !  I  don't  like  this  lec- 
turer's mood  of  yours." 

"  Then  it's  fortunate  I  don't  wear  it  often.  You  are 
too  brave  and  true  a  girl  at  heart,  Lucette,"  he  said 
earnestly,  "  not  to  make  your  good  will  worth  having 
for  any  man.     And  now  I'll  be  serious  no  more," 

But  Lucette  looked  serious  then,  and  twice  turned  to 
him  as  if  to  say  something;  although  in  the  end  she 
shrugged  her  shoulders  and  remained  silent, 

"  Something  is  going  to  happen  now,"  said  Pascal 
after  a  minute,  as  a  number  of  the  Governor's  suite 
entered  and  ranged  themselves  near  the  dais.  Both  were 
watching  them  when  Lucette  cried  suddenly — 

"  There  is  Gabrielle,  Oh,  how  sad  and  pale  she 
looks !  " 

"  She  takes  it  all  very  seriously,"  replied  Pascal ;  and 
pushing  through  the  prisoners,  he  forced  a  way  for 
Lucette  and  himself  to  the  front.  Gabrielle  saw,  and 
hurried  to  speak  to  them,  when  one  of  the  guards  stopped 
her. 

"  You  cannot  speak  to  the  prisoners,  mademoiselle," 
he  said. 

"  Nonsense,  fellow,"  exclaimed  Pascal  angrily. 

"  Silence,  prisoner." 


*^ 


GERARD  BORE  HIMSELF  WITH   GREAT   DIGN1T> 


m  THE  HALL  OF  AUDIENCE     337 

"  Not  at  your  command,  I  promise  you ;  "  but  Gabri- 
elle  making  a  hasty  gesture  to  them,  fell  back,  and  at 
the  moment  there  came  a  blast  of  trumpets  heralding 
the  approach,  as  they  thought,  of  the  Governor. 

But  to  their  amazement,  it  was  Gerard,  dressed  in 
Bourbon  uniform  and  preceded  by  two  courtiers,  who 
backed  before  him,  bowing  deeply  as  if  in  profound 
respect.  One  of  them  was  d'Estelle,  whose  sallow  sar- 
donic face  wore  a  smile  of  mockery ;  and  as  they  entered, 
a  herald  called  in  loud  tones — 

"  Place,  there,  place,  for  the  most  noble  Lord  Gerard 
de  Bourbon." 

At  the  announcement  the  men  about  the  Governor's 
seat  made  a  profound  obeisance,  and  formed  a  lane  to 
the  steps  leading  to  the  dais. 

Gabrielle  trembled,  and  showed  such  agitation  and 
pain  that  Lucette  was  full  of  concern  for  her,  while 
Pascal  smiled  and  muttered  to  himself :  "  In  the  name 
of  the  devil,  what  can  this  mean  ?  " 

Gerard  bore  himself  with  great  dignity,  though  under- 
standing the  thing  little  better  than  Pascal.  He  saw 
the  smiles  of  derision  which  the  Governor's  favourites 
exchanged  one  with  another,  but  paid  no  heed  to  them, 
and  acted  as  though  the  scene  were  no  mockery,  but 
earnest. 

He  was  bowed  to  the  Governor's  chair,  and  as  he  took 
his  seat  the  Bourbon  colours  were  suddenly  unfurled, 
one  on  either  side. 

'•  His  Grace  the  Duke  de  Rochelle  entreats  your  lord- 
ship to  l>e  seated  here,  and  will  wait  upon  you  to  make 
his  liomage  to  your  lordship  as  the  representative  of  the 
illustrious  Duke  de  Bourbon,  the  gracious  Suzerain  of 
Morvaix."  It  was  d'Estelle  who  said  this,  and  his 
cynical  smile  was  answered  by  the  sneers  of  every  cour- 
tier near. 

"  I  shall  be  glad  to  receive  his  homage,"  said  Gerard 


338        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

as  he  stood  by  the  Great  Seat  and  looked  about  him. 
In  his  surprise  he  had  not  noticed  Gabrielle  when  enter- 
ing; but  in  a  moment  he  saw  her  and  went  to  her. 

"  What  can  this  mockery  portend,  Gerard  ?  "  she  asked 
nervously. 

"  Nay,  I  know  not.  The  Governor  seeks  to  amuse 
himself,  I  gather ;  but  I  care  not  so  long  as  he  does  but 
waste  enough  time  over  it." 

"  It  has  some  sinister  meaning." 

"  So  he  will  find,  if  he  will  but  mock  long  enough," 
he  answered  drily.  "  Meanwhile,  we  will  play  up  to  him 
in  a  way  he  will  find  little  to  his  liking.  Come.  I  will 
have  a  seat  placed  for  you  by  my  side." 

"  No,  no.  Let  us  not  anger  him  further,"  she  said, 
shrinking.     "  It  is  not  prudent." 

"  His  anger  is  nothing  to  us.  In  an  hour  or  two  at 
most  he  will  be  on  his  knees  to  us,  in  no  mocking  mood, 
I  promise  you.  Come ; "  and  he  took  her  hand,  and 
leading  her  to  the  dais  he  ordered  d'Estelle  to  place  a 
chair  for  her  by  him. 

"  I  have  no  commands  of  the  kind,  most  noble  lord," 
he  sneered. 

"  I  command  here  now.  Do  as  I  bid  you,"  answered 
Gerard  sternly ;  and  after  a  second's  hesitation  it  was 
done. 

The  moment  after  Gabrielle  had  taken  her  seat  the 
soldier  next  Dubois  let  his  musket  drop,  and  at  the 
clanging  noise  Gerard  looked  round  and  saw  Dubois. 
It  was  a  device  to  attract  his  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  whole  of  Bassot's  company  were  present. 

Dubois,  with  a  meaning  glance,  looked  across  to  the 
prisoners,  and  Gerard,  following  the  direction  of  his 
eyes,  saw  Pascal  and  Lucette.  His  face  maintained  its 
grave  set  expression ;  but  his  eyes  were  full  of  meaning 
as  he  met  Pascal's  and  glanced  first  at  the  prisoners  and 
then  at  the  men  euarding  them. 


IN  THE  HALL  OF  AUDIENCE      339 

"  We  are  well  prepared,  indeed,  Gabrielle,"  he  whis- 
pered to  her.  "  Dubois  has  conceived  a  plan  daring 
even  for  him.     Pascal  is  among  the  prisoners." 

"I  have  seen  him,  and  Lucette  too;  but  they  would 
not  let  me  speak  to  her." 

"  It  needs  no  speech.  He  understands.  He  will  lead 
the  prisoners  when  the  moment  comes,  and  they  will 
overpower  the  men  in  charge  of  them." 

"  But  the  soldiers  here." 

"  Are  Bourbons  to  a  man  and  Dubois  is  among  them — 
eating  out  his  heart,  I  will  wager,  for  the  moment  when 
he  can  strike.     Ah!  here  comes  the  Governor." 

"  I  have  seen  the  Duchess,  Gerard,  and  she  is  coming 
hither,"  whispered  Gabrielle  quickly. 

"  Good ;  it  will  all  help  to  waste  time." 

The  Governor,  with  de  Proballe  and  others  in  attend- 
ance, entered  then,  and  he  gave  a  start  of  anger  at  seeing 
Gabrielle  by  Gerard's  side.  He  suppressed  it  quickly, 
however,  and  made  his  way  with  an  affectation  of  respect 
toward  Gerard.  De  Proballe,  save  for  an  occasional 
smirk,  was  preternaturally  grave  as  he  followed  close 
to  the  Governor,  bowing  at  every  step  with  a  grotesque, 
exaggerated  obsequiousness  that  drew  smiles  from  all. 

Not  an  act  or  gesture  of  all  this  escaped  Gerard,  who 
saw  through  the  childish  contemptible  burlesque  by 
which  it  was  designed  to  insult  and  humiliate  him;  but 
he  continued  to  act  precisely  as  he  would  have  acted  had 
the  ceremony  been  genuine.  He  remained  seated  while 
the  Governor  approached  the  dais  and  said,  with  a  last 
low  bow — 

"  I  desire  to  offer  my  most  humble  greetings  to  my 
lord  Gerard  de  Bourbon,  and  to  bid  you  welcome  to 
Morvaix." 

"  Your  recognition  of  my  right  and  rank  as  the  son 
of  Morvaix'  Suzerain  comes  somewhat  late,  my  lord 
Duke,  and  my  previous  reception  at  your  hands  was  but 


340        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

an  indifferent  preface  to  this  more  fitting  sequel.  That 
preface  yet  remains  to  be  explained." 

"  I  had  not  then  convinced  myself  that  you  were  indeed 
Great  Bourbon's  son." 

"  You  are,  then,  now  convinced  ?  " 

"  Should  I  be  here  and  you  where  you  sit  were  it  not 
so,  most  noble  lord  ?  " 

"  What,  then,  has  convinced  you  ?  Yotir  answer  does 
not  satisfy  me." 

"  That  is  a  matter  to  be  more  conveniently  discussed 
between  us  in  private.  All  is  well  with  our  illustrious 
Suzerain  ?  " 

"  My  purpose  in  Morvaix  is  not  concerned  with  the 
passing  of  mere  idle  compliments,  and  I  bear  no  other 
greeting  to  your  lordship  than  that  you  have  already 
received  and  destroyed — an  act  you  may  now  be  anxious 
to  explain." 

"  Your  noble  lordship's — condescension  amazes  me," 
said  the  Governor,  with  a  pause  before  the  word,  easy 
for  all  to  understand.  "  You  speak  of  a  purpose.  WilJ 
you  Be  good  enough  to  explain  it  ?  " 

"  I  am  indeed  glad  to  do  so  to  all  present,"  answered 
Gerard  readily,  rising.  He  welcomed  the  chance  of  let- 
ting the  prisoners  hear  it.  "  My  father,  the  Duke  de 
Bourbon,  the  Suzerain  of  Morvaix,  had  heard  ill  reports 
of  your  government  here :  that  your  rule  was  harsh ; 
that  the  people  were  oppressed  by  your  soldiers ;  that 
justice  was  denied  to  the  citizens,  who  were  crushed  and 
ruined  by  the  imposition  of  iniquitous  taxation ;  and 
further,  that  many  dark  and  evil  practices  prevailed. 
He  has  sent  me  here,  therefore,  bearing  full  powers  to 
inquire  into  the  methods  of  your  government  and  to 
redress  the  grievances  of  the  suffering  people." 

The  Governor  and  those  round  him  sneered  and 
laughed ;  but  the  prisoners  listened  intently  to  every 
word,  and  not  understanding  that  the  scene  was  no  more 
than  burlesque,  one  of  them  cried  in  a  loud  voice — 


IN  THE  HALL  OF  AUDIENCE      341 

"  God  save  your  lordship !  Long-  live  Bourbon !"  and 
the  cry  was  caught  up  by  the  whole  body  of  prisoners 
and  of  Bourbon  troops  swelling  into  loud  shouts,  which, 
for  the  moment,  the  guards  tried  in  vain  to  silence. 

The  Governor  paled  with  anger. 

"  Your  lordship  knows  how  to  appeal  to  the  passions 
of  such  canaille,"  he  said,  when  silence  had  been  partly 
restored. 

"  The  passions  have  first  been  provoked  by  your  mis- 
rule, my  lord  Duke,"  answered  Gerard  in  his  stern  ring- 
ing tone,  to  the  delight  of  every  one  of  the  prisoners, 
who  believed  that  justice  was  indeed  at  last  to  be  meted 
out  to  the  ruler  they  detested,  Gerard  observed  the 
change  in  them,  and  saw,  with  intense  satisfaction,  that 
their  mood  was  now  such  as  would  make  them  ready 
helpers  in  the  scene  to  follow.  "  Who  are  these  pris- 
oners ?  "  he  asked  the  Governor. 

"  Their  presence  here  is  in  accord  with  half  my  pres- 
ent purpose,  most  noble  lord.  I  have  deemed  it  best 
that  they  should  be  tried  before  you,  illustrious  Bour- 
bon's son,  that  you  should  know  their  crimes  and  your- 
self decree  their  punishment,  you  being,  as  I  know  you 
to  be,  the  essence  of  justice  and  purity  itself." 

At  this  de  Proballe  laughed  audibly ;  and  the  sneer 
passed  round  the  courtiers.  It  was  he  who  had  sug- 
gested to  the  Governor  this  mocking  masquerade  and 
the  burlesque  treatment  of  Gerard,  and  the  irony  of  the 
scene  delighted  him. 

But  Gerard  gave  not  a  sign  that  he  even  saw  the  sneer. 

"  It  was  well  arranged,  my  lord,"  he  said  gjavely. 
**  And  the  other  part  in  your  purpose  ?  " 

"  Is  a  personal  affair,  personal  to  the  lady  at  your 
side  and  myself."  His  look  conveyed  his  meaning,  and 
Gabrielle  flinched. 

"  I  think  I  know  your  meaning,"  answered  Gerard 
with  unmoved  composure,  "  and  shall  be  glad  to  assist 


S42        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

in  furthering  such  a  matter.  But  first,  the  prisoners. 
What  is  the  charge  and  the  evidence  ?  " 

De  Proballe  stepped  forward  here. 

"  Most  noble  and  puissant  lord  Gerard  of  Bourbon," 
he  began  with  an  insolent  air,  when  Gerard  interrupted 
him. 

"  Stay,"  he  said,  with  an  imperious  gesture.  "  I  will 
not  hear  the  Baron  de  Proballe.  I  know  him  to  be 
incapable  of  telling  the  truth." 

De  Proballe  fell  back  at  this  insult,  and  in  a  voice 
vibrating  with  passion  exclaimed — 

"  Will  your  lordship  endure  this  insolence  longer?  " 

But  the  Governor  was  rarely  troubled  when  any  one 
other  than  himself  was  humiliated.  He  was  now,  in 
truth,  rather  inclined  to  rejoice  at  de  Proballe's  discom- 
fiture, and  replied  with  more  than  a  dash  of  contempt — 

"  We  must  not  forget,  monsieur,  that  the  lord  Gerard 
comes  from  Paris  with  special  knowledge  we  do  not 
possess  in  Morvaix ; "  and  the  favourites  round,  taking 
their  cue  from  this  tone,  sneered  one  to  another  with  sig- 
nificant shrugs  and  glances. 

"  The  evidence,  my  lord  ?  "  said  Gerard  with  a  show 
of  impatience. 

The  Governor  called  up  one  of  his  officers  then,  who 
spoke  of  the  affray  in  the  market-place ;  and  Gerard, 
under  cover  of  a  desire  to  get  at  the  truth,  questioned 
him  at  considerable  length,  and  so  consumed  much  in- 
valuable time.  Two  other  officers  followed,  and  some  of 
the  soldiers  who  had  been  injured  by  the  crowd. 

Having  prolonged  the  matter  as  long  as  practicable, 
Gerald  said — 

"  There  is  one  point  on  which  none  of  the  witnesses 
have  spoken.  The  provocation  which  drove  the  people 
to  revolt  ?     I  would  hear  that." 

"  There  was  none,"  answered  the  Governor,  who  w-as 
now  wearying  of  the  farce.  "  And.  moreover,  these  pro- 
ceedings have  lasted  long  enough." 


IN  THE  HALL  OF  AUDIENCE      343 

"  We  will,  then,  hear  the  prisoners  themselves." 

"  That  is  not  the  law  in  Morvaix,"  was  the  curt  reply. 
"  They  were  caught  red-handed,  and  can  make  no  de- 
fence." 

"Is  that  your  Morvaix  justice,  my  lord?  I  am  not 
surprised  there  is  discontent,  therefore.  I  will  consider 
the  matter  I  have  heard,  and  give  my  judgment  on  the 
morrow.     Meanwhile  the  prisoners  will  be  released." 

They  broke  out  into  joyous  shouts  at  this,  and  again 
the  cries  of  "  Long  live  Bourbon !  "  rent  the  air,  to  the 
intense  mortification  and  anger  of  the  Governor. 

"  This  is  too  much,"  he  said  with  a  scowl.  "  Your 
lordship  will  not  be  here  on  the  morrow.  I  am  sending 
you  to-night  on  your  way  with  an  escort." 

But  Gerard  having  his  own  end  in  view,  affected  not 
to  hear  him. 

"  And  now  the  second  matter  you  mentioned,  my 
lord  ?  "  he  asked ;  "  affecting  Mademoiselle  de  Malin- 
court  here  and  yourself." 

"  It  is  one  that  will  doubtless  please  you,"  answered 
the  Governor.  The  burlesque  so  far  had  brought  him 
far  less  pleasure  than  mortification ;  but  he  was  now  sure 
of  his  ground.  He  intended  to  make  Gerard  the  medium 
of  announcing  his  betrothal  to  Gabrielle,  and  the  thought 
of  this  triumph  of  ingenuity  appealed  to  him.  "  Made- 
moiselle de  Malincourt  has  been  pleased  to  consent  to 
betroth  herself  to  me,  most  noble  lord ;  and  your  gracious 
presence  makes  this  a  fitting  opportunity  for  the  fact  to 
be  announced.    You  will  be  good  enough  to  announce  it." 

His  tone  was  a  threat,  and  as  such  Gerard  under- 
stood it. 

"  Betrothal  ?  "  he  repeated,  with  an  excellent  simula- 
tion of  surprise,  as  if  ignorant  of  the  whole  matter. 
"  But  is  there  not  already  one  Duchess  de  Rochelle  ?  " 

"  You  know  the  facts  well,"  answered  the  Governor, 
dropping  all  form  in  his  anger.  "  Do  what  I  say,  or 
there  may  be  bitter  reasons  to  regret  it." 


344        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

But  Gerard  was  a  far  better  actor  than  he,  and  replied 
in  a  very  loud  tone,  as  if  more  surprised  than  ever — 

"  Do  you  wish  me  to  announce  to  all  present  that, 
having  already  one  wife,  you  propose  to  take  a  second? 
This  is  against  the  laws  of  France,  my  lord.  I  cannot 
make  such  an  announcement." 

The  Governor  bit  his  lip  and  frowned,  and  said,  in  a 
threatening  undertone — 

"If  you  wish  to  leave  Morvaix  to-night  with  your 
head  on  your  shoulders,  you  will  announce  it." 

"  You  are  tearing  off  the  mask,  then,  at  last,"  said 
Gerard,  as  calmly  as  before,  with  a  smile. 

"  The  Duchess  herself  has  agreed  to  a  divorce,  so  that 
this  marriage  may  take  place." 

"  It  is  a  union  I  cannot  and  will  not  sanction,"  declared 
Gerard  in  a  loud  firm  voice.  "  In  the  name  of  the  Suze- 
rain of  Morvaix  I  forbid  it.     It  must  and  shall  not  be." 

"  We  will  see  to  that  and  have  an  end  to  this  mock- 
ery," cried  the  Governor,  turning  to  give  an  order  to 
his  officers.  But  before  he  could  deliver  it  an  inter- 
ruption came.  The  Duchess  de  Rochelle  was  borne  into 
the  hall  on  a  litter. 

Dead  silence  fell  on  all  as  her  litter  was  set  down  at 
the  foot  of  the  steps. 

"  Here  is  the  Duchess  to  speak  for  herself,"  said 
Gerard. 

She  was  pale  and  fragile,  but  her  eyes  were  burning, 
and  her  soft  voice  thrilled  all  as  she  spoke. 

"  I  have  heard  what  has  passed,  my  lord,"  she  said 
to  Gerard ;  "  and  I  have  come  here  to  protest  against 
this  contemplated  wrong — the  last  of  many  I  have  en- 
dured at  my  husband's  hands.  I  will  not  have  that 
innocent  girl  sacrificed.  I  protest  solemnly  against  this 
infamy,  in  the  name  of  God,  the  Holy  Church,  and  of 
the  laws  of  France." 

The  effort  seemed  to  exhaust  her  strength,  and  as  she 


IN  THE  HALL  OF  AUDIENCE      345 

fell  back  faint  and  white,  Gabrielle  ran  and  knelt  beside 
her. 

Gerard  paused  for  the  Governor  to  speak,  but  rage 
deprived  him  of  words. 

"  What  say  you  now,  my  lord  ?  "  asked  Gerard. 

"  This  is  a  plot  against  me — a  damnable  scheme  to  try 
and  put  me  to  shame  here,"  cried  the  infuriated  Gov- 
ernor. "  You  shall  have  an  answer,  never  fear ;  and  one 
little  to  your  liking.  Seize  that  man,"  he  cried  to  his 
officers,  pointing  to  Gerard  with  a  hand  that  shook  with 
rage. 

"  Should  not  the  hall  be  cleared  ?  "  said  de  Proballe, 
roused  to  great  alarm  for  himself  now  at  the  fiasco  of 
his  plans. 

The  answer  came  from  Gerard  in  a  loud  tone  that 
resounded  through  the  vast  hall. 

"  No,"  he  cried ;  "  not  until  the  infamy  of  this  thing 
has  been  made  public." 

A  profound  hush  of  expectancy  fell  upon  the  great 
throng,  each  man  holding  his  breath  in  wonderment  and 
suspense ;  and  before  it  was  broken,  an  officer  entered 
hurriedly  and  approached  the  Governor — 

"  My  lord,  my  lord,"  he  said  excitedly ;  "  I  crave  your 
lordship's  pardon.  Captain  Boutelle  has  sent  me  to  re- 
port that  a  large  force  of  troops  are  approaching  the 
city." 

"  At  last,"  whispered  Gerard  under  his  breath,  with  a 
deep  sigh  of  relief. 

The  Governor  turned  to  two  of  his  captains  near  him — 

"  Go  at  once,  Des  Moulins,  and  you,  Courvoir,  and 
see  what  this  means.  Close  the  gates  against  them,  and 
hold  them  in  parley  till  I  come." 

The  men  hurried  out  in  company  with  the  officer  who 
had  brought  the  news. 

"  Clear  the  hall.  Captain  Fourtier ;  drive  these  canaille 
back  to  the  prisons  until  I  can  deal  with  them." 


346        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  Stop,"  cried  Gerard,  springing  to  his  feet.  "  No  one 
leaves  the  hall  except  at  my  orders.  The  force  you  hear 
of  is  a  Bourbon  army  coming  here  under  my  command. 
Your  power  is  broken,  my  lord  Duke.  Who  disobeys 
me  now  will  answer  to  the  Suzerain  Duke,  Great  Bour- 
bon, for  his  disobedience.  Bear  the  Duchess  away. 
Gabrielle,  you  had  better  leave  with  her." 

"  By  God,  you  shall  rue  this  insolent  presumption ! 
Let  the  hall  be  cleared,  I  say.  It  is  I,  the  Governor,  who 
order  it." 

The  Great  Hall  became  now  the  scene  of  intense  ex- 
citement and  commotion. 

The  guards  commenced  to  obey  the  Governor's  com- 
mand to  drive  the  prisoners  back  to  the  cells.  Groans 
and  hooting  broke  out,  and  in  the  confusion  Lucette  con- 
trived to  slip  past  the  soldiers  and  hasten  to  Gabrielle, 
and  with  her  left  by  the  side  of  the  Duchess'  litter. 

"  Pascal,  now,"  called  Gerard.  "  Captain  Dubois,  post 
your  men  at  the  doors,  and  see  that  no  one  enters." 

"  To  me,  those  who  are  for  Bourbon,"  shouted  Pascal. 
"  Down  with  the  guards !  "  and  he  flung  himself  upon 
the  soldier  nearest  to  him,  and  wrenching  his  musket 
from  him,  began  to  use  it  vigorously.  This  was  the  sig- 
nal for  a  fierce  conflict  between  the  prisoners  and  the 
guards ;  and  in  the  meanwhile  Dubois,  sending  half  his 
men  to  guard  the  entrance  to  the  hall,  drew  up  the  re- 
mainder as  a  bodyguard  to  protect  Gerard,  who  had  left 
the  dais  and  was  now  threatened  by  the  officers  and 
courtiers  of  the  Governor. 

The  two  bodies  faced  each  other  with  fierce  menacing 
looks:  the  Governor  heading  his  courtiers,  and  Gerard 
his  men,  Dubois  close  at  his  side;  while  the  din  and 
clamour  of  the  fight  between  prisoners  and  soldiers  ren- 
dered it  impossible  for  a  word  to  be  heard. 

The  struggle  was  not  long.  The  prisoners  outnum- 
bered their  opponents  by  three  or  four  to  one,  and  fought 


IN  THE  HALL  OF  AUDIENCE      347 

with  the  courage  of  men  fighting'  for  their  freedom. 
They  had  Pascal  to  lead  them,  moreover;  and  he  had 
clubbed  his  musket  and  laid  about  him  with  an  energy 
and  strength  which  none  could  resist  wherever  he  went. 
And  he  was  everywhere  where  the  fight  was  thickest; 
and  the  stronger  men,  inspired  by  his  example,  seized 
the  soldiers'  weapons  and  fought  shoulder  to  shoulder 
with  him  with  terrible  effect. 

The  tables  were  soon  turned,  and  the  guards  were 
beaten  and  overthrown  or  held  prisoners  by  the  men  who 
a  few  minutes  before  had  been  cowering  before  them. 

Before  it  ended,  however,  another  struggle  com- 
menced. The  Governor,  mad  with  rage,  called  upon 
those  with  him,  and  drawing  his  sword,  rushed  at  Gerard 
to  cut  him  down,  unarmed  as  he  was.  But  Dubois  had 
anticipated  this,  and  his  sword  met  that  of  the  Duke,  who 
sought  with  all  his  skill  and  trick  of  fence  to  break 
through  the  other's  guard. 

The  two  were  soon  left  fighting  almost  alone,  for  the 
Bourbon  soldiers,  maddened  by  the  treacherous  attempt 
upon  Gerard's  life,  attacked  the  courtiers  with  a  right 
good  will,  and  drove  them  back  speedily  to  the  wall  with 
the  fury  of  their  onslaught.  There  they  were  speedily 
disarmed,  but  not  until  several  of  them  had  been 
wounded. 

As  the  din  of  the  conflict  within  the  hall  died  down  at 
the  ignominious  defeat  of  the  Governor's  supporters, 
there  came  from  outside  the  sound  of  heavy  firing  and 
the  loud  shouts  of  many  men  engaged  in  desperate  fight- 
ing. 

"  It  is  d'Alembert ;  I  hear  the  Bourbon  cry,"  shouted 
Pascal,  hurr}'ing  to  one  of  the  entrances. 

Gerard  called  to  the  Governor  to  yield;  and  Dubois, 
hearing  this,  changed  his  defensive  tactics  for  those  of 
vigorous  attack,  and  as  he  was  driving  the  Governor 
before  him,  he  stepped  back  suddenly,  and  so  brought 
the  duel  to  an  end. 


348        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Now,  my  lord,  you  must  see  the  uselessness  of  further 
resistance,"  said  Gerard.  "  You  will  give  me  your 
sword." 

"  To  a  treacherous  dog-  like  you  ?  Never !  "  was  the 
fierce  answer. 

"  Do  you  speak  of  treachery  ?  I  saved  your  life  to- 
day in  the  market-place,  thinking  that  some  spark  of 
honour  might  remain  to  you  to  be  roused  by  the  act — 
and  your  reward  was  an  order  that  I  should  be  shot. 
And  but  now  you  sought  to  drive  your  sword  into  my 
heart,  unarmed  though  I  was.  I  will  have  no  mercy 
for  you:  nothing  but  justice.  Come,  your  sword.  You 
are  powerless." 

The  Governor  had  a  curse  on  his  lips,  but  checked  it, 
as  a  great  shout  came  from  Pascal  and  the  Bourbons 
with  him. 

"  The  Castle  is  ours,  my  lord.  D'Alembert  is  here," 
cried  Pascal;  and  the  Bourbon  soldiers  came  streaming 
into  the  hall,  with  d'Alembert  at  their  head. 

The  Governor  glanced  round  him  with  the  look  of  a 
hunted  beast,  and  then  said  sullenly — 

"  I  have  no  option,  it  seems."  He  held  out  his  sword 
as  if  about  to  give  it  up ;  but,  with  a  sudden  change,  he 
uttered  a  cry  of  rage,  and  lunged  forward  swiftly  at 
Gerard's  heart. 

Only  just  did  the  thrust  miss  as  Gerard,  fortunately 
suspicious,  had  noted  the  change  of  look  and  leapt  aside. 

With  a  curse  at  himself  for  his  failure,  the  Governor 
sprang  from  the  men  who  rushed  up,  and  plunged  the 
sword  into  his  own  heart. 


CHAPTER  XXX 

THE   TROOPS    MARCH 

THE  week  that  followed  was  a  wild  one  indeed 
for  Morvaix,  and  the  citizens,  freed  suddenly 
from  the  blighting  curse  of  the  Tiger's  rule, 
gave  themselves  up,  all  classes  alike,  to  a  carnival  of 
revelry  and  rejoicing. 

The  news  of  the  strange  occurrences  which  had  cul- 
minated in  the  Governor's  death  was  carried  far  and 
wide  through  the  city  the  same  night  by  the  liberated 
prisoners,  who  streamed  out  of  the  Castle  in  a  gay 
throng,  laughing  and  jesting,  straining  their  throats  with 
shouts  and  cheers  for  Gerard  and  Gabrielle,  Bourbon 
and  Malincourt,  and  jostling  and  shouldering  one 
another  in  the  mad  race  to  be  first  to  tell  the  glad  tidings. 

A  garbled  and  distorted  tale  it  was  they  told  in  de- 
scribing the  scene,  the  true  meaning  of  which,  although 
they  had  witnessed  it,  they  could  but  imperfectly  under- 
stand. But  the  main  fact  spoke  for  itself.  The  Tyrant 
was  dead — had  died  by  his  own  hand,  rather  than  face 
the  anger  of  the  Great  Bourbon  who  had  brought  an 
army  to  punish  him  and  save  the  city. 

They  had  seen  this  with  their  own  eyes,  and  with  their 
own  ears  had  heard  the  words  with  which  Gerard  had 
afterwards  dismissed  them,  promising  solemnly  good 
government  for  the  future,  relief  from  the  grinding  taxa- 
tion and  redress  for  their  long  suffered  wrongs.  And 
the  whole  livelong  night  was  spent  in  rejoicing. 

The  morrow  found  the  great  news  confirmed.  A 
proclamation  was   issued   from  the   Castle   announcing- 

349 


350        A    COURIER   OF   FORTUNE 

that  the  Due  de  Rochelle  was  dead,  and  that  Gerard  de 
Bourbon  would  act  for  the  time  as  Governor,  and  this 
was  followed  by  Gerard's  first  decree  as  Governor,  re- 
pealing some  of  the  Tyrant's  ordinances,  and  detailing  a 
number  of  measures  to  be  taken  immediately  for  the 
relief  of  the  poorer  citizens. 

Nc^-  was  this  all.  The  leading  burghers  were  sum- 
moned to  the  Castle  and  informed  of  the  forthcoming 
alliance  between  the  Houses  of  Bourbon  and  Malincourt 
through  the  marriage  of  Gerard  and  Gabrielle ;  and  told 
that  Gerard  hoped  to  remain  permanently  in  Morvaix 
as  the  Governor  of  the  Province.  The  burghers  were 
also  requested  to  take  urgent  counsel  together  as  to  the 
best  means  to  be  adopted  to  restore  the  impaired  trade 
and  fortunes  of  the  city ;  and  were  thus  sent  on  their  way 
rejoicing  with  lighter  hearts  than  they  had  known  for 
many  a  long  year. 

A  few  days  wrought  wonders  in  changing  the  look 
of  the  little  city  and  the  demeanour  of  the  people,  who 
had  many  a  substantial  proof  of  the  spirit  of  the  new 
rule ;  and  before  the  week  was  out  it  was  known  that 
couriers  had  passed  between  Morvaix  and  the  Duke  de 
Bourbon  and  that  they  had  brought  back  from  the  Suze- 
rain confirmation  of  Gerard's  appointment  as  the  new 
Governor. 

A  crowd  of  smiling  men  and  women  were  gathered  in 
the  market-place  cheering  and  rejoicing  over  this  fresh 
good  news,  when  two  horsemen  came  riding  from  the 
Castle  toward  the  south  gate.  They  were  de  Proballe 
and  Jacques  Dauban;  and  of  all  the  great  throng  their 
faces  alone  were  dark  and  gloomy.  Gerard  had  held 
de  Proballe  a  close  prisoner,  intending  to  punish  him 
severely ;  but  at  Gabrielle's  intercession  had  released  him, 
on  condition  that  he  and  Dauban  left  the  city  never  to 
return  to  it. 

"  We  are  so  happy,  let  us  forgive,"  she  had  pleaded ; 


THE   TROOPS    MARCH  351 

and  herself  had  provided  her  uncle  with  a  sum  of  money. 
But  Pascal  had  not  forgiven  Dauban,  and  learning  when 
he  and  his  master  were  to  be  released,  had  whispered  a 
word  to  Babillon  which  had  results. 

As  the  two  men  reached  the  farther  end  of  the  market- 
place, where  it  narrowed  into  the  street  leading  to  the 
city  gate,  they  found  the  press  of  people  so  great  that 
no  more  than  a  walking  pace  was  possible;  and  just  at  * 
that  moment  they  were  recognized.  Cries  and  hooting, 
coarse  jests  and  gibes,  took  the  place  of  smiles  and 
cheers ;  clenched  fists  were  raised  in  menace,  as  the  peo- 
ple closed  round  the  horses,  rough  hands  being  laid  on 
the  bridles. 

De  Proballe  scowled  in  anger,  and  when  one  man 
seized  the  bridle  of  his  horse  and  jeered  at  him  to  his 
face,  he  was  foolhardy  enough  in  his  rage  to  raise  his 
whip  and  strike  the  man  across  the  mouth. 

It  was  the  spark  to  the  tinder,  and  the  flame  burst  out 
directly.  In  a  moment  he  and  Dauban  were  torn  from 
their  horses  and  jostled  and  shouldered  and  thrust  from 
hand  to  hand,  in  the  midst  of  a  rough  but  not  over  ill- 
tempered  crowd. 

Babillon  was  close  at  hand,  and  himself  raised  the  cry 
of  "  No  violence  on  such  a  day  as  this.  No  violence," 
And  the  cry  was  caught  up  by  the  people,  and  followed 
by  bursts  of  thunderous  jeering  laughter  at  the  sour 
looks  and  angry  faces  of  the  two  men.  It  was  rough 
jesting,  however;  and  just  when  the  people  were  tiring 
of  it  and  the  pair  were  getting  back  to  their  horses,  a 
cry  was  raised  by  some  one  of  "  The  pond,  the  pond ;  " 
and  this,  too,  swelled  into  a  roar. 

Dauban  was  seized  first  by  half  a  dozen  stalwart  fel- 
lows, and,  writhing,  struggling  and  kicking  in  futile  re- 
sistance, was  borne  along  and  tossed  into  the  middle  of 
the  pond  which  was  near.  He  emerged  a  minute  later, 
a  shivering,   soaked,   half-drowned  and   all-bedraggled 


352        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

figure  to  be  greeted,  as  he  shook  himself  and  stood 
squeezing  the  dirty  water  from  his  clothes,  with  such  a 
roar  of  raucous  laughter  as  might  have  been  heard 
througli  half  the  city. 

De  Proballe's  turn  came  next;  and  despite  his  angry, 
vdiement  protests,  he  was  seized  in  the  same  manner, 
and  carried,  fighting  and  screaming  out  impotent  threats 
and  curses,  in  the  direction  of  the  pond. 

But  before  his  ruthless  captors  reached  the  pond,  an 
interruption  came.  Gerard  and  Gabrielle,  with  some 
others  in  attendance,  had  been  riding,  and  were  return- 
ing, when  their  attention  was  attracted  by  the  sounds  of 
the  disturbance,  and  they  came  in  full  view  of  the  pro- 
ceedings just  when  Dauban  stood  shivering  after  his 
ducking  and  the  crowd  had  seized  upon  de  Proballe. 

Gerard  was  for  letting  the  thing  be  settled  by  the  peo- 
ple, but  Gabrielle  would  not,  and  with  a  touch  of  the 
spur,  put  her  horse  in  the  way. 

Her  appearance  was  the  signal  for  a  rousing  cheer, 
and  as  soon  as  she  could  be  heard,  she  said  to  those  about 
her — 

"  You  do  not  best  show  yourselves  my  friends  in  this. 
If  you  will  please  me,  you  will  let  M.  de  Proballe  free. 
If  I  have  forgiven  him,  cannot  you  ?  " 

A  shout  of  assent  was  the  answer;  and  in  a  moment 
he  was  set  at  liberty;  the  two  horses  were  brought  up, 
and  he  and  Dauban  mounted,  a  wild  burst  of  laughter 
at  the  figure  which  Dauban  made  being  mingled  in  the 
cheers  for  Gabrielle  and  Malincourt. 

De  Proballe  said  not  a  word  of  thanks,  and  would  not 
even  look  at  Gabrielle ;  and  as  he  passed  close  to  Gerard 
it  was  with  a  scowl  and  an  oath.  Then  he  dug  his  heels 
into  his  horse's  flanks  and  rode  out  of  the  city  and  into 
the  open  country,  closely  followed  by  Dauban,  who  kept 
glancing  timorously  over  his  shoulder  in  fear  of  yet 
further  trouble. 


THE   TROOPS    MARCH  353 

"  I  would  not  have  had  cither  of  them  hurt,"  said 
Gabrielle,  when  Gerard  joined  her  and  they  resumed  the 
ride  to  the  maison. 

''  A  kindliness  worthy  of  your  gentle  heart,  Gabrielle. 
But  I  am  differently  cast,  I  fear.  It  would  not  have 
hurt  him.  He  has  stirred  much  dirty  water  in  Morvaix, 
and  if  he  had  had  to  carry  away  a  little  of  a  different 
kind  in  his  mouth  and  on  his  clothes  it  would  have  served 
him  right.  But  he  has  had  a  good  fright,  and  that's 
something;  and  if  you  are  glad  no  worse  has  chanced 
to  him,  why  I  am  glad  also.  I  would  rather  he  had  a 
dry  skin  than  you  be  displeased." 

"  It  is  best  as  it  is,  Gerard,  although — it  would  have 
served  him  right ; "  and  she  laughed  and  added :  "  I 
could  almost  have  wished  we  had  not  ridden  up  in  time." 

"  Nay,  it  gave  the  people  a  chance  of  seeing  more  evi- 
dence of  your  sweet  nature,  Gabrielle.  How  they 
cheered  you !     'Twas  a  good-humoured  crowd,  too." 

"  You  have  changed  the  temper  of  the  people  almost 
as  if  by  the  wave  of  a  wizard's  wand." 

"  Not  I.  'Twas  you  they  cheered.  They  know  whom 
to  thank.  Your  popularity  is  so  great  that  you  set  me 
a  difficult  task  to  rival  it." 

"  How  different  from  that  angjy  sullen  mob  that  faced 
the  soldiers  when  we  first  met — and  but  little  more  than 
a  week  ago."  And  in  this  easy  happy  fashion  they  chat- 
ted until  Malincourt  was  reached. 

On  the  terrace  they  found  Lucette  and  Denys,  now 
fast  on  the  road  to  recovery,  in  converse  with  Dubois. 

"  I  was  chiding  Captain  Dubois  for  leaving  us,  Gabri- 
elle," cried  Lucette  smiling.  "  But  he  has  an  iron  will — 
shot-proof  against  any  arguments." 

"  I  wish  you  could  persuade  him  to  remain,  Lucette,'* 
said  Gerard.  "  I  have  tried  to  bribe  him  with  the  offer 
of  the  command  of  the  troops  here,  but  he  is,  as  you  say, 
iron,  and  insists  on  leaving  to-morrow  with  d'Alembert." 


354        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  I  am  a  soldier,  mademoiselle,"  answered  Dubois,  and 
there  is  news  of  some  fighting  yet  to  be  done.  My  place 
is  with  Bourbon's  army." 

"  Ours  will  be  a  Bourbon  army,  too,  friend." 

"  I  beg  you,  my  lord,  urge  me  no  more.  I  have  ar- 
ranged the  matters  on  which  we  spoke.  The  merce- 
naries who  were  in  the  late  Governor's  troc^s  have  for 
the  most  part  been  enrolled  in  the  companies  that  march 
to-morrow,  and  so  many  of  the  Bourbon  men  as  you 
desired  have  taken  their  places.  But  your  force  will  be 
chiefly  Morvaix  men — a  sort  of  citizens'  army ;  and  to 
command  such  a  force  is  no  more  to  my  liking  than  it 
is  fitted  to  my  powers.  I  should  but  cause  you  infinite 
trouble  by  being  constantly  at  loggerheads  with  your 
burghers." 

"  You  take  them  too  seriously,  captain.  They  are 
worthy  men,"  said  Gabrielle. 

"  As  men  most  worthy,  doubtless,  mademoiselle ;  as 
talkers,  unsurpassed  in  France,  I  think ;  but  I  am  a  plain 
soldier." 

"  I  should  like  details  of  your  arrangements  now  they 
are  completed,  Dubois.  Come  into  the  house  and  give 
them  to  me.  Denys  may  well  assist  at  the  conference,  for 
he  will  now  be  high  in  my  esteem  and  confidence.  Come, 
Denys — if  Lucette  will  spare  you  to  me." 

Denys  flushed  with  pleasure,  and  Lucette  smiled. 

"  What  a  wonderful  change  in  everything,  Gabrielle," 
she  exclaimed  when  the  three  men  had  left  them.  "  How 
happy  you  look.     And  what  a  little  cheat  you  were." 

"I?     When?" 

"  Innocent !  Why  the  day  after  M.  Gerard  met  you 
in  the  market-place.  When  you  said  that  if  for  a  mo- 
ment you  had  swerved  from  thoughts  of  duty,  a  night's 
reflection  had  sobered  you.  Sobered  you!  Intoxicated 
you,  you  should  have  said." 

"I  did  not  know  that  Gerard  was "    Lucette  broke 

in  with  a  merry  laugh,  and  Gabrielle  blushed. 


THE   TROOPS    MARCH  355 

"  Was  Gerard  de  Cobalt  ?  Nor  was  he.  But  do  you 
remember  my  words,  when  you  were  such  a  philosopher 
about  the  plag^ues  of  love?  I  told  you  you  would  learn 
to  know  it  all  some  day.  Oh,  Gabrielle,  what  a  lecture 
I  might  read  you  now!  You  cannot  find  him  near  you 
without  a  dozen  tremors  and  a  fleeting  tide  of  colour  in 
your  face  and  light  in  your  eyes ;  and  when  he  is  not  by 
your  side,  how  restless  is  Gabrielle,  with  glances  here 
and  glances  there,  listening  for  his  footstep  or  his  voice, 
and  impatience,  oh,  such  impatience,  at  all  that  keeps 
him  from  you." 

"  If  I  plead  guilty,  has  the  court  no  mercy  for  me?" 

"  My  dearest,  I  love  you  for  it.  But  I  told  you  how 
it  would  be;  and  God  knows  neither  you  nor  I  would 
have  it  otherwise.  Ah,  here  is  M.  Pascal,"  she  said  as 
he  came  round  the  house. 

"  Mademoiselle,  I  have  hastened  from  the  city  to  crave 
your  pardon,"  he  said  to  Gabrielle. 

"  You  are  already  assured  of  it,  monsieur,  for  I  know 
the  offence  will  be  but  a  trifle." 

"  You  must  not  trust  all  men,  Gabrielle,"  put  in  Lu- 
cette  briskly. 

"  Yet  unwittingly  I  may  have  offended.  It  was  I  who 
instigated  the  baiting  of  M.  de  Proballe  and  the  scurvy 
knave  he  calls  his  secretary.  I  knew  when  he  would 
leave,  and  set  on  Babillon  to  frighten  him.  I  have  heard 
it  was  against  your  wish,  and  would  not  have  you  blame 
your  citizens  for  the  act  of  a  rough  Bourbon  soldier." 

"What  happened  to  them?"  asked  Lucette.  And 
when  Pascal  told  her  of  Dauban's  treatment,  she  laughed 
and  clapped  her  hands. 

"  May  I  tack  a  condition  to  my  pardon,  monsieur?" 
asked  Gabrielle,  smiling. 

"  Were  I  one  of  your  cautious  burghers,  I  would  urge 
that  the  condition  be  first  specified." 

"  It  is  that  you  do  not  leave  with  the  Bourbon  forces 
to-morrow,  but  remain  to  be  a  friend  and  help  to  us  all." 


356        A    COURIER    OF    FORTUNE 

"  Then  I  pray  you  undo  the  tacking.  Remember  how 
sad  a  place  Morvaix  must  ever  be  in  my  memory." 

"  Sad  ?  "  exclaimed  Lucette.     "  Monsieur !  " 

"  I  mean  because  of  my  many  bereavements  here." 

"  Bereavements,  monsieur  ?  "  said  Gabrielle,  with  a 
frown  of  perplexity. 

"  Bereavements  truly ;  what  else  ?  'Twas  here  in  Mor- 
vaix I  lost  my  wife,  after  a  union  of  but  a  few  minutes ; 
and  after  that  my  newly  betrothed  was  snatched  from 
me  by  inexorable  fate." 

They  both  laughed,  and  Lucette  said — 

"  Then  you  are  desolate  ?  " 

"  In  truth  could  I  be  otherwise  ?  I  am  always,  and 
in  earnest  what  Gerard  was  in  masquerade  for  a  few 
hours — a  courier  of  fortune ;  and  without  the  hope  that 
the  fortune  I  chased  may  prove  as  charming  and  de- 
lightful." 

"  I  would  you  could  have  stayed,  monsieur ;  and  I 
thank  you  for  your  pretty  compliments,"  said  Gabrielle, 
smiling  and  blushing. 

"  You  go  to  Paris,  monsieur,  I  understand,"  said 
Lucette.     "  Doubtless  there  you  will  find  consolation." 

"  In  Paris  there  may  be  distractions,  even  if  not  con- 
solation," he  answered  gaily. 

"  Try  to  persuade  him  to  remain,  Lucette,"  said  Gabri- 
elle, going  into  the  house. 

"Why  will  you  not  remain,  M.  Pascal?"  asked  Lu- 
cette half  nervously  and  more  seriously  than  usual  with 
her. 

"  Is  not  the  answer  there,  with  her,  Lucette,  and  here 
perhaps  with  you  ? "  He  spoke  lightly,  but  his  eyes 
were  serious. 

"  I  am  not  sure  that  I  understand  you." 

"  And  I  am  sure  there  is  no  need  that  you  should. 
They  will  be  a  happy  pair,  I  hope  with  all  my  heart ;  as 
I  hope  indeed  that  you  will  be  happy  with  M.  St.  Jean — 


THE   TROOPS    MARCH  357 

a  prince  of  worthy  fellows — even  if  a  trifle  disposed  to 
jealousy.  I  have  had  much  talk  with  him  in  the  last 
few  days." 

She  was  silent  a  moment  turning  over  a  ring  on  her 
finger. 

"  I  hope  you  will  be  happy  also."  Her  voice  was  soft 
and  low  and  trembled  slightly. 

"  I  am  a  soldier  and  love  my  colours.  I  have  health 
and  strength,  a  sound  body  and  a  modicum  of  wits,  trust 
in  myself  and  strong  hope,  and  kindly  memories  to  carry 
with  me  from  Morvaix.     Why  should  I  not  be  happy  ?  " 

"  Despite  your  bereavements  ?  "    And  she  smiled. 

*'  Or  perhaps  because  of  them,  Lucette." 

"  A  double-edged  sentence  that,  surely." 

"  And  therefore  best  suited  to  the  thought  behind  it." 

She  lifted  her  eyes  and  looked  at  him  searchingly,  and 
he  met  the  look  with  an  easy  smile. 

**  I  wonder  what  you  mean  ?  "  she  said,  so  earnestly 
that  her  tone  was  almost  sad. 

"  Your  wonder  is  not  greater  than  my  own,"  he 
laughed. 

"  In  our  worst  troubles  recently  you  laughed.  You 
have  a  laugh  for  everything." 

"  The  finest  mask  with  which  Nature  ever  fitted  man 
or  woman  is  a  laugh,  Lucette.  Yes,  I  can  laugh  at  my 
own  follies  and  wishes  and  troubles  and — aye,  even  at 
my  own  bereavements." 

The  gaiety  of  his  tone  was  just  as  bright  and  free; 
and  he  continued  to  smile  when  Lucette  again  looked 
at  him  earnestly. 

"  Is  that  smile  a  mask,  too?  I  would  gladly  know 
what  is  behind  it,"  she  said. 

"  I  think  I  myself  shall  know  better  when,  say,  there 
are  twenty  leagues  between  Morvaix  and  me." 

They  stood  looking  one  at  the  other  a  mcxnent,  and 
then  Denys  came  out  and  joined  them. 


358        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

"  Come  to  my  rescue,  Denys,"  cried  Pascal  gaily. 
"  Here  is  Madame  Burgher  trying  to  cross-examine  me." 

"  Aye,  come  and  take  a  lesson  in  word  fencing, 
Denys,"  said  Lucette. 

"  You  may  need  many  lessons  when  you  fence  with 
Lucette,  my  good  friend." 

"  I  know  it,"  replied  Denys  with  a  smile,  as  he  slipped 
his  arm  into  hers  and  glanced  at  her. 

"  They  would  keep  me  in  Morvaix,"  laughed  Pascal. 

"  And  not  they  alone,  Pascal.  Do  you  know,  Lucette, 
I  have  tried  by  the  hour  to  persuade  him  to  stay.  But 
he  tells  me  there  are — shall  I  say  it  ?  "  and  he  looked  at 
Pascal,  who  shrugged  his  shoulders.  "  There  are  a 
woman's  eyes  calling  him  away." 

"  Warning  me  away,  was  what  I  said,  friend." 

"  'Tis  the  same  thing,"  declared  Denys. 

"  Maybe ;  but  'twas  the  term  I  used.  I  think  I  have 
learnt  to  read  more  warnings  than  beckonings  in 
women's  eyes.     But  'tis  the  same  in  the  end." 

Lucette  watched  him  steadily  as  he  spoke,  and  then 
surprised  Denys  by  saying  very  seriously,  and  with  some- 
thing very  much  like  a  sigh — 

"  If  that  be  the  reason,  it  is  well  that  you  go,  Pascal." 

"  What,  have  you  changed  sides,  Lucette  ? "  cried 
Denys,  rallying  her. 

"  'Tis  a  woman's  way,  Denys,  and  ever  will  be," 
laughed  Pascal. 

"  Wherever  you  go,  Pascal,  I  wish  you  Godspeed  with 
all  my  heart,"  said  Lucette  in  the  same  earnest,  ahiiost 
strenuous  tone ;  and  gave  him  her  hand,  which  he  car- 
ried to  his  lips. 

"  Denys  will  not  mind  that,  at  any  rate,"  he  said. 

Lucette  shivered. 

"  Take  me  in,  Denys,  I  am  chilled,"  she  said ;  and  with- 
out saying  more  or  looking  again  at  Pascal,  she  hur- 
ried in. 


THE   TROOPS    MARCH  359 

"  'Tis  a  woman's  way,  Denys,  only  and  always  a 
\Yoman's  way,"  he  said,  as  Denys  lingered  a  moment 
anil  then  hurried  after  her. 

Pascal  watched  them  with  a  smile  until  they  had  gone, 
and  then  turned  grave,  nodded  once  or  twice,  smiled 
again,  and  again  was  grave,  until,  with  a  shrug  of  the 
shoulders,  he  turned  and  swung  away. 

The  next  morning  all  was  bustle  and  commotion  at 
the  Castle,  for  the  Bourbon  troops  were  marching  out. 
Gerard  and  Gabrielle  and  all  from  Malincourt  were  there 
to  bid  them  farewell.  They  stood  together,  the  centre 
of  a  large  group,  watching  them  start,  and  Lucette  and 
Denys  were  a  little  apart  from  the  rest. 

Dubois,  taciturn  and  quiet  as  usual,  was  busy  seeing 
that  everything  was  in  due  order;  and  Pascal,  activity 
itself,  moved  gaily  here,  there  and  everywhere  in  the 
ranks,  with  eyes  for  everything  and  everybody,  laughing 
and  jesting  in  uncontrollable  spirits. 

His  company  was  the  last  to  start,  and  all  his  soldiers, 
although  many  of  them  were  leaving  behind  friends  in 
Morvaix  and  breaking  pleasant  associations,  seemed  to 
take  the  infection  of  their  leader's  gaiety,  and  faced  the 
parting  with  laughs  and  jokes  and  pleasantry. 

The  merriest  and  most  cheerful  of  all  the  companies 
was  Pascal's,  and  he  himself  the  merriest  and  most  cheer- 
ful of  them,  as  they  saluted  Gerard  and  cheered  Gabri- 
elle and  then  marched  away  with  sturdy,  stalwart  stride. 

Pascal  waited  to  mount  his  horse  until  almost  the  last 
ranks  were  on  the  move. 

*■  What  spirits  he  has,"  exclaimed  Denys  to  Lucette  as 
they  stood  watching  the  men.     "  I  am  sorry  he  is  going." 

But  Lucette  was  silent. 

The  last  rank  passed,  and  then  Pascal,  turning  in  the 
saddle,  waved  his  hand  and  smiled.  His  eyes  rested  for 
a  moment  on  Lucette's,  at  least  so  it  seemed  to  her ;  and 
she  raised  her  kerchief  and  waved  back  to  him  just  as  he 
touched  his  horse  and  moved  after  his  men. 


36o        A    COURIER   OF    FORTUNE 

She  continued  to  wave  and  to  stare  after  him,  but  hft 
did  not  look  back  until,  quite  in  the  distance,  he  turned 
and  again,  as  she  thought,  looked  at  her ;  and  again  she 
answered,  waving  to  him. 

He  did  not  look  back  any  more,  and  when,  the  last  sign 
of  the  troops  having  disappeared  and  she  was  still  star- 
ing after  them,  Denys  touched  her  arm,  she  started 
almost  as  one  awakened  from  a  dream. 

"  I  am  glad  he  has  gone,"  she  said,  sighing ;  and  then 
Denys  saw  that  her  eyes  were  dimmed  with  tears. 

"  Tears  ?     Lucette  ?  "  he  cried. 

"  It  strains  one's  eyes  to  stare  so  long.  Give  me  your 
arm,  Denys  dear,  and  be  patient  with  me  to-day.  I — I — 
oh,  Denys  dearest,  I  am  so  glad  you  are  well  again,"  and 
she  walked  away  clinging  closely  to  his  side. 

And  Denys,  not  understanding  this  mood  of  hers,  was 
almost  as  much  peiplexed  by  her  humour  as  he  was  de- 
lighted by  her  tenderness. 


THE  ENa 


Popular  Copyright  Books 

At  Moderate  Prices 

Any  of  the  following  titles  can  be  bought  of  your  Bookselle 
at  the  price  you  paid  for  this  volume 


rrANCY  STAIR 

MY  LADY  OF  THE  NORTH     . 

THE  FUGITIVE  BLACKSMITH 

VASHTI         .... 

FOR  LOVE  OR  CROWN 

DP  FROM  SLAVERY 

THE  SEATS  OF  THE  MIGHTY 

CAP'N  ERI     .    .    .    . 

WHEN  WILDERNESS  WAS  KING 


Elinor  Macartney  Lane 

Randall  Parrish 

.     Charles  D.  Stewart 

Augusta  Evans  Wilson 

Arthur  W.  Marchmont 

Booker  T.  Washington 

Gilbert  Parker 

Joseph  C.  Lincoln 

Randall  Parrish 


Anna  Katharine  Green 

Edgar  Allan  Poe 

Arthur  W.  Marchmont 

Francis  Lynde 

Herbert  Quick 

Lucas  Ma  let 


THE  LEAVENWORTH  CASE 

MYSTERY  TALES 

A  COURIER  OF  FORTUNE 

THE  QUICKENING 

DOUBLE  TROUBLE 

SIR  RICHARD  CALMADY     . 

CASTING  AWAY  OF  MRS.  LECKS 

AND  MRS.  ALESHINE      .     .       Frank  R.  Stockton- 
A  SPECKLED  BIRD  .        .     Augusta  Evans  Wilson 

ORDER  NO.  II  .  .  .  Caroline  Abbot  Stanley 
THE  BELLE  OF  BOWLING  GREEN  .  Amelia  E.  Barr 
SARITA  THE  CARLIST         .         Arthur  W.  Marchmont 


A.  L.  BURT   CO.,  Publishers,  52-58  Duane  St.,  New   York 


€ood  Fiction  Worth  Reading. 

A  series  of  romances  cootainingr  several  of  the  old  favorites  in  the  field 
of  historical  fiction,  replete  with  powerful  romances  of  love  and  diplomacy 
that  excel  in  thrilling  and  absorbing  interest. 


GUY  FA'WKES.  A  Romance  of  the  Gunpowder  Treason.  By  Wm.  Harri- 
son Ainsworth.  Cloth,  i2mo.  with  four  illustrations  by  George  Cruikshank. 
Price,  |i.oo. 

The  "Gunpowder  Plot"  was  a  modest  attempt  to  blow  up  Parliament, 
the  King:  and  his  Counsellors.  James  of  Scotland,  then  King  of  England, 
was  weak-minded  and  extravagant.  He  hit  upon  the  efficient  scheme  of 
extorting  money  from  the  people  by  imposing  taxes  on  the  Catholics.  In 
their  natural  resentment  to  this  extortion,  a  handful  of  bold  spirits  con- 
.cluded  to  overthrow  the  government.  Finally  the  plotters  were  arrested, 
.and  the  King  put  to  torture  Guy  Fawkes  and  the  other  prisoners  with 
royal  vigor.     A  very  intense  love  story  runs  through  the  entire  romance. 

THE  SPIRIT  OP  THE  BORDER.  A  Romance  of  the  Early  Settlers  in  tlie 
Ohio  Valley.  By  Zane  Grey.  Cloth.  i2mo.  with  four  illustrations  by  J.  Watson 
Davis.    Price,  |i. 00. 

A  book  rather  out  of  the  ordinary  Is  this  "Spirit  of  the  Border."  Th« 
main  thread  of  the  story  has  to  do  with  the  work  of  the  Moravian  mis- 
sionaries in  the  Ohio  Valley.  Incidentally  the  reader  is  given  details  of  the 
frontier  life  of  those  hardy  pioneers  who  broke  the  wilderness  for  the  plant- 
ing of  this  great  nation.  Chief  among  these,  as  a  matter  of  course,  is 
Xiewis  Wetzel,  one  of  the  most  peculiar,  and  at  the  same  time  the  most 
admirable  of  all  the  brave  men  who  spent  their  lives  battling  with  the 
jMvage  foe,   that  others  might  dwell  in  comparative  security. 

Details  of  the  establishment  and  destruction  of  the  Moravian  "Village 
of  Peace"  are  given  at  some  length,  and  with  minute  description.  The 
-efforts  to  Christianize  the  Indians  are  described  as  they  never  have  been 
before,  and  the  author  has  depicted  the  characters  of  the  leaders  of  the 
several  Indian  tribes  with  great  care,  which  of  itself  will  be  of  interest  to 
the   student. 

By  no  means  least  among  the  charms  of  the  story  are  the  vivid  word- 
pictures  of  the  thrilling  adventures,  and  the  intense  paintings  of  the  beau- 
ties of  nature,   as  seen   in  the  almost  unbroken   forests. 

It  is  the  spirit  of  the  frontier  which  is  described,  and  one  can  by  it, 
perhaps,  the  better  understand  why  men,  and  women,  too,  willingly  braved 
•every  privation  and  danger  that  the  westward  progress  of  the  star  of  em- 
pire might  be  the  more  certain  and  rapid.  A  love  story,  simple  and  tender, 
runs  through  the  book. 

RICHELIEU.  A  tale  of  France  in  the  reign  of  King  l^ouis  Xm.  By  G.  P. 
R.  James.  Cloth,  i2mo.  with  four  illustrations  by  J.  Watson  Davis.  Price,  f  i.oo. 

In  1829  Mr.  James  published  his  first  romance,  "Richelieu,"  and  was 
recognized  at  once  as  one  of  the  masters  of  the  craft. 

In  this  book  he  laid  the  story  during  those  later  days  of  the  great  car- 
dinal's life,  when  his  power  was  beginning  to  wane,  but  while  it  was 
yet  .sufficiently  strong  to  permit  now  and  then  of  volcanic  outbursts  which 
•overwhelmed  foes  and  carried  friends  to  the  topmost  wave  of  prosperity. 
One  of  the  most  striking  portions  of  the  story  Is  that  of  Cinq  Mar's  conspir- 
acy: the  method  of  conducting  criminal  cases,  and  the  political  trickery 
re.^orted  to  by  royal  favorites,  affording  a  better  insight  into  the  state- 
•craft  of  that  day  than  can  be  had  even  by  an  exhaustive  study  of  history. 
It  is  a  powerful  romance  of  love  and  diplomacy,  and  In  point  of  thrilling 
and   absorbing   interest  has   never  been   excelled. 

Jfor  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the  pub- 
lishers, A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY,  52-58  Duane  St.,  New  York, 


Good  Fiction  Worth  Reading. 

A  series  of  romances  containing  several  of  the  old  favorites  ia  tb«  field 
of  historical  fiction,  replete  with  powerful  romances  of  lovsaad  dipleBMCjr 
that  excel  ia  tfarillinir  and  absorbing  interest. 


D ARNL£ Y .  A  Romance  of  the  times  of  Henry  VIIL  and  Cardinal  Wolacy. 
By  G,  P.  R.  James.  Cloth,  lamo.  with  four  illustrations  by  J.  Watson  Davis. 
Price,  |i.oo. 

In  point  of  publication,  "Darnley"  Is  that  work  by  Mr.  James  wblcti 
follows  "Richelieu,"  and.  If  rumor  can  be  credited.  It  was  owing  to  the  ad- 
vice and  InelEtence  of  our  own  Washlngrton  Irving  that  we  are  Indebted 
primarily  for  the  story,  the  young  author  questioning  whether  he  ooul^ 
properly  paint  the  difference  In  the  characters  of  the  two  great  cardinals. 
And  it  Is  not  surprising  that  James  should  have  hesitated;  he  had  been 
e.nlnently  successful  In  giving  to  the  world  the  portrait  of  Richelieu  as  a. 
man,  and  by  attempting  a  similar  task  with  Wolsey  as  the  theme,  was 
much  like  tempting  fortune.  Irving  Insisted  that  "Damley"  came  natur- 
ally in  sequence,  and  this  opinion  being  supported  by  Sir  Walter  Scott, 
the  author  set  about  the  work. 

As  a  historical  romance  "Darnley"  is  a  book  that  can  b«  taken  u^ 
pleaaurably  again  and  again,  for  there  Is  about  it  that  subtle  charm  which 
those  who  are  strangers  to  the  works  of  G.  P.  R.  James  have  claimed  was- 
only  to  be  Imparted  by  Dumas. 

If  there  was  nothing  more  about  the  work  to  attract  especial  attention, 
the  account  of  the  meeting  of  the  kings  on  the  historic  "field  of  the  cloth  of 
fold"  would  entitle  the  story  to  the  most  favorable  consideration  of  every 
reader. 

There  is  really  but  little  pure  romance  in  this  story,  for  the  author  has- 
taken  care  to  Imagine  love  passages  only  between  those  whom  history  ha* 
credited  with  having  entertained  the  tender  passion  one  for  another,  and' 
lie  succeeds  in  making  such  lovers  as  all  the  world  must  love. 

CAPTAIN  BRAND,  OF  THE  SCHOONER  CENTIPEDE.  By  Ueut. 
Henry  A.  Wise,  U.S.N.  (Harry  Gringo).  Cloth,  izmo.  with  four  itlustra- 
tions  by  J.  Watson  Davis.    Price,  |i.oo. 

The  re-publlcatlon  of  this  story  will  please  those  lovers  of  sea  yam» 
Vho  delight  In  so  much  of  the  salty  flavor  of  the  ocean  as  can  come  through 
the  medium  of  a  printed  page,  for  never  has  a  story  of  the  sea  and  those 
"who  go  down  in  ships"  been  written  by  one  more  familiar  with  the  scenes- 
depleted. 

The  one  book  of  this  gifted  author  which  is  best  remembered,  and  which 
will  be  read  with  pleasure  for  many  years  to  come.  Is  "Captain  Brand." 
who,  as  the  author  states  on  his  title  page,  was  a  "pirate  of  eminence  In 
the  West  Indies."  As  a  sea  story  pure  and  simple,  "Captain  Brand"  ha» 
never  been  excelled,,  and  as  a  story  of  piratical  life,  told  without  the  usual 
•mbelllshments  of  blood  and  thunder.   It  has  no  equal. 

NICK  OF  THE  WOODS.  A  story  of  the  Early  Settlers  of  Kentucky.  By 
Robert  Montgomery  Bird.  Cloth,  lamo.  with  four  illustrations  by  J.  Watson- 
Davis.    Price,  $1.00, 

This  most  popular  novel  and  thrilling  story  of  early  frontier  life  In 
Kentucky  was  originally  published  In  the  year  1837.  The  novel,  long  out  of 
print,  had  In  Its  day  a  phenomenal  sale,  for  Its  realistic  presentation  r>t 
Indian  and  frontier  life  In  the  early  days  of  settlement  In  the  South,  nar- 
rated In  the  tale  with  all  the  art  of  a  practiced  writer.  A  very  charming 
love  romance  runs  through  the  story.  This  new  and  tasteful  edition  of 
"Nick  of  the  Woods"  will  be  certain  to  make  many  new  admirers  for 
this   enchanting  story  from   Dr.    Bird's  clever  and  versatile   pen. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the  pal>- 
Uitaen,  A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY,  ft-H  Dusac  St.,  New  York. 


Good  Fiction  Worth  Reading. 

A  series  of  romances  containing  several  of  the  old  favorites  in  the  field 
ef  historical  fiction,  replete  with  powerful  romances  of  love  and  diplomacy 
■that  excel  in  thrilling  and  absorbing  interest. 


A  COLONIAL  FREE-LANCE.  A  story  of  American  Colonial  Times.  By 
Chauncey  C.  Hotchkiss.  Cloth,  izmo.  with  four  illustrations  by  J.  Watson 
Davis.    Price,  $i.oa 

A  book  that  appeals  to  Americans  as  a  vivid  picture  of  Revolutionary 
scenes.  The  story  is  a  strong  one,  a  thrilling  one.  It  causes  the  true 
American  to  flush  with  excitement,  to  devour  chapter  after  chapter,  until 
the  eyes  smart,  and  it  fairly  smokes  with  patriotism.  The  love  story  la  » 
•inirularly  charming  idyl. 

THE  TOWER  OP  LONDON.  A  Historical  Romance  of  the  Timesof  Lady 
Jane  Grey  and  Mary  Tudor.  By  Wm.  Harrison  Ainsworth.  Cloth,  i2mo.  with 
four  illustrations  by  George  Cruikshank.    Price,  |i.oo. 

This  romance  of  the  "Tower  of  London"  depicts  the  Tower  as  palace, 
-prison  and  fortress,  with  many  historical  associations.  The  era  is  the 
middle  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

The  story  is  divided  into  two  parts,  one  dealing  with  Lady  Jane  Grey, 
and  the  other  with  Mary  Tudor  as  Queen,  introducing  other  notable  char- 
i«ctera  of  the  era.  Throughout  the  story  holds  the  interest  of  the  reader 
In  the  midst  of  intrigue  and  conspiracy,  extending  considerably  over  a 
half  a  century. 

IN  DEFIANCE  OP  THE  KING.    A  Romance  of  the  American  Revolution. 

By  Chauncey  C.  Hotchkiss.    Cloth,  ismo.  with  four  illustrations  by  J.  Watson 

Davis.    Price,  Ji.oo. 

Mr.  Hotchkiss  has  etched  In  burning  words  a  story  of  Yankee  bravery. 
And  true  love  that  thrills  from  beginning  to  end,  with  the  spirit  of  the 
Revolution.  The  heart  beats  quickly,  and  we  feel  ourselves  taking  a 
part  In  the  exciting  scenes  described.  Hte  whole  story  is  so  absorbing 
that  you  will  sit  up  far  into  the  night  to  finish  It.  As  a  love  romance 
it    is   charming. 

GARTHOWEN.    A  story  of  a  Welsh  Homestead.    By  Allen  Raine.     Cloth, 

izmo.  •with  fotir  illustrations  by  J.  Watson  Davis.    Price,  |i.oa 

"This  Is  a  little  Idyl  of  humble  life  and  enduring  love,  laid  bare  befor* 
!U»,  very  real  and  pure,  which  in  its  telling  shows  us  some  strong  i>oints  of 
Welsh  character — the  pride,  the  hasty  temper,  the  quick  dying  out  of  wrath. 
.  We  call  this  a  well-written  story,  interesting  alike  through  Its 
romance  and  Its  glimpses  into  another  life  than  ours.  A  delightful  and 
clever  picture  of  Welsh  village  life.  The  result  is  excellent." — Detroit  Free 
Press. 

MIPANWY.     The  story  of  a  Welsh  Singer.      By  Allan  Raine.     Cloth, 

:j2tno.  'with  four  illustrations  by  J.  Watson  Davis.    Price,  |i.oo. 

"This  is  a  love  story,  simple,  tender  and  pretty  as  one  would  care  t» 
.read.  The  action  throughout  is  brisk  and  pleasing;  the  characters,  it  is  ap- 
'Parent  at  once,  are  as  true  to  life  as  though  the  author  had  known  them 
all  personally.  Simple  in  all  its  situations,  the  story  is  worked  up  in  that 
touching  and  quaint  strain  which  never  grows  wearisome,  no  matter  how 
•often  the  lights  and  shadows  of  love  are  introduced.  It  rings  true,  and 
<loea  not  tax  the  imagination." — Boston  Herald. 

S^n:  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the  pub- 
Uskers.  A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY.  51-38  X>uaae  St..  New  York. 


Good  Fiction  Worth  Reading, 

A  series  of  romances  containing  several  of  the  old  favorites  in  the  field 
ef  historical  fiction,  replete  v'ith  powerful  romances  of  love  and  diploroacjr 
that  excel  in  thrilling  and  absorbing  interest. 


^VINDSOR  CASTLE.  A  Historical  Romance  of  the  Reign  of  Henry  VIIl, 
Catharine  of  Aragon  and  Anne  Boleyn.  By  Wm.  Harrison  Ainsworth.  Cloth, 
S2ino.  with  four  illustrations  by  George  Cruikshank.    Price,  $1.00. 

"Windsor  Castle"  Is  the  story  of  Henry  VIII..  Catharine,  and  Arn« 
Boleyn.  "lilull  King  Hal,"  altbough  a  well-loved  monarch,  was  none  loo 
Sood  a  one  in  many  ways.  Of  all  his  selflshness  and  unwarrantable  acts, 
none  was  more  discreditable  than  his  divorce  from  Catharine,  and  his  mar- 
rlag-e  to  the  beautiful  Arne  Boleyn.  The  King's  love  was  as  brief  as  It 
■was  vehement.  Jane  Soymour,  waiting  maid  on  the  Queen,  attracted  him. 
and  Anne  Boleyn  was  forced  to  the  block  to  make  room  for  her  successor. 
This  romance  Is  one  of  extreme  Interest  to  all  readers. 

HORSESHOE  ROBINSON.  A  tale  of  the  Tory  Ascendency  in  South  Caro- 
lina in  1780.  By  John  P.  Kennedy.  Cloth,  iztno.  with  four  illustrations  by  ' . 
"Watson  Davis.    Price,  |i.oa 

Among  the  old  favorites  in  the  field  of  what  Is  known  as  historical  fic- 
tion, there  are  none  which  appeal  to  a  larger  number  of  Americans  thsA 
Horseshoe  Robinson,  and  this  because  it  is  the  only  story  which  depict* 
"With  fidelity  to  the  facts  the  heroic  efforts  of  the  colonists  In  South  Caro» 
lina  to  defend  their  homes  against  the  brutal  oppression  of  the  Britisb 
under  such  leaders  as  Cornwallis  and  Tarleton. 

The  reader  is  charmed  with  the  story  of  love  which  forma  the  thread 
of  the  tale,  and  then  Impressed  with  the  wealth  of  detail  concerning  those 
times.  The  picture  of  the  manifold  sufferings  of  the  people,  is  never  over- 
drawn, but  painted  faithfully  and  honestly  by  one  who  spared  neither 
time  nor  labor  in  his  efforts  to  present  in  this  charming  love  story  all  that 
price  in  blood  and  tears  which  the  Carolinians  paid  as  their  share  In  the 
winning  of  the  republic. 

Take  it  all  in  all,  "Horseshoe  Robinson"  is  a  work  which  should  be 
found  on  every  book-shelf,  not  only  because  It  is  a  most  entertaining; 
story,  but  because  of  the  wealth  of  valuable  information  concerning  the 
colonists  which  it  contains.  That  It  has  been  brought  out  once  more,  well 
Illustrated,  is  something  which  will  give  pleasure  to  thotisands  who  have 
long  desired  on  opportunity  to  read  the  story  again,  and  to  the  many  who 
have  tried  vainly  in  these  latter  days  to  procure  a  copy  that  they  might 
read  It  for  tho  first  time. 

THE  PEARL  OF  ORR'S  ISLAND.  A  story  of  the  Coast  of  Maine.  By 
Harriet  Beecher  Stowe.    Cloth,  i:nno.    Illustrated.    Price,  Ji.oo. 

Written  prior  to  1862,  the  "Pearl  of  Orr's  Island"  Is  ever  new;  a.  book 
filled  with  delicate  fancies,  such  as  seemingly  array  themselves  anew  each 
time  one  reads  them.  One  sees  the  "sea  like  an  unbroken  mirror  all 
around  the  pine-girt,  lonely  shores  of  Orr's  Island."  and  straightway 
comes  "the  heavy,  hollow  moan  of  the  surf  on  the  beach,  like  the  wllJ 
angry  howl   of  some  savage   animal." 

Who  can  read  of  the  beginning  of  that  sweet  life,  named  Mara,  which 
came  into  this  world  under  the  very  shadow  of  the  Death  angel's  wings, 
without  having  an  Intense  desire  tn  know  how  the  premature  bud  blos- 
somed? Again  and  again  one  lingers  over  the  descriptions  of  the  char- 
acter of  that  baby  boy  Moses,  who  came  through  the  tempest,  amid  the 
angrv  billows,  pillowed  on  his  dead  mother's  breast. 

There  is  no  more  faithful  portrayal  of  New  Kngtand  life  than  that 
which  Mrs.  Stowe  gives  in   "The  Pearl   of  Orr's  Island." 

Por  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  seat  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the  pnb» 
Ushers,  A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY.  53-38  Duana  St..  New  York. 


POPULAR  LITERATURE  FOR  THE  MASSES, 
COMPRISING  CHOICE  SELECTIONS  FROM  THE 
TREASURES  OF  THE  WORLD'S  KNOWLEDGE, 
ISSUED  IN  A  SUBSTANTIAL  AND  ATTRACTIVE 
CLOTH     BINDING,   AT    A     POPULAR    PRICE 


BURT'S  HOME  LIBRARY  is  a  scries  which 
Includes  the  standard  works  of  the  world's  best  literattjrc, 
boimd  in  uniform  cloth  bindings  gilt  tops,  embracing 
chiefly  selections  from  writers  of  the  most  notable 
English,  American  and  Foreign  Fiction,  together  with 
many  important  works  in  the  domains 
of  History,  Biography,  Philosophy, 
Travel,  Poetry  and  the  Essays* 

A  glance  at  the  following  annexed 
list  of  titles  and  authors  will  endorse 
the  claim  that  the  publishers  make 
for  it — that  it  is  the  most  compre- 
hensive, choice,  interesting,  and  by 
far  the  most  carefully  selected  series 
of  standard  authors  for  world-wide 
reading  that  has  been  produced  by 
uny  publishing  house  in  any  country,  and  that  at  pricct 
«o  cheap,  and  in  a  style  so  substantial  and  pleasing,  as  to 
win  for  it  millions  of  readers  and  the  approval  and 
commendation,  not  only  of  the  book  trade  throughout 
the  American  continent,  but  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
librarians,  clergymen,  educators  and  men  of  letters 
interested  in  the  dissemination  of  instructive,  entertaining 
And  thoroughly  wholesome  reading  matter  for  the  masses. 

[SES  FOI«W)WING  PAGBSl 


BURT'5  HOME  LIBRARY.    Cloth.    Qllt  Tops.    Price,  $1.00 


Abbe      Constantin.         By      Ludovic 

Ha!-EVV. 

Abbott,  Hv  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Ada  n  Bede.  Bv  George  Eliot. 
Addison's   Essays.     Edited   bv   John 

R:(:hahd  Greev. 
Aeneid    of    Virgil.     Translated    by 

JOHM    COVNINGTON. 

Aesop's  Fables. 

Alexander,    the    Great,    Life    of.     By 

JIOHN     \\'II,IIAMS. 
red,  tha  Great,  Life  of.     By  Thomas 

HUOHES. 

Alhambra.     Bv  Washington  Irving. 
Alice  in  Wonderland,  and  Through  the 

Looking-Glass.  Bv  Lewis  Carroll 
Alice  Lorraine.  Bv  R.  D.  Blackmore 
411  Sorts  and  Conditions  of  Hen.     Bv 

Walter   Besant. 
Alton  Locke.     Bv  Charles  Kingslbv. 
Amiel's     Journal.     Translated     by 

.Mrs.  Humphrey  Ward. 
Andersen's  Fairy  Tales. 
Anne  of  Geirstein.     By  Sir  Walter 

Scott. 
Antiquary.     Bv  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Arabian  Nights'  Entertainments. 
Ardath.     Bv    Maris    Corelli. 
Arnold,  Benedict,  Life  of.     Bv  Gborgb 

Canning  Hill. 
Arnold's    Poems.        Bv      M.vtthbw 

Arnold. 
Around  the  World  in  the  Yacht  Sun- 
beam.    Bv  Mrs.  Brassey. 
Arundel     Motto.     By     Mary     Cecil 

Hay. 
At  the  Back  of  the  North  Wind.     Bv 

George  Macdonald. 
Attic  Philosopher.     Bv    Emilb     Sou- 

vestre. 
Auld    Licht    Idylls.     Bv     James    M. 

Barrie. 
Aunt  Diana.     Bv  Rosa  N.  Carey. 
Autobiography  of  Benjamin  Franklin. 
Autocrat  of  the  Breakfast  Table.     Bv 

O.   W.   Holmes. 
AveriL     Bv  Rosa  N.  Carey. 
Bacon's  Essays.     Bv  Francis  Bacon. 
Barbara  Heathcote's  TriaL     Bv  Rosa 

N.  Carey. 
Barnaby  Rudge.     Bv  Charles  Dick- 

B.NS. 

Barrack  Room  Ballads.     Bv  Rudtard 

Kipling. 
Betrothed.     Bv  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Beulah.     Bv  Augusta  J.  Evans. 
Black  Beauty,     Bv  Anna  Sew  all. 
Black      Dwarf.     Bv      Sir      Walter 

Scott. 
Black  Rock.     Bv  Ralph  Connor. 
Black  Tulip.     Bv  Alexandre  Dumas. 
Bleak  House.     Bv  Charlbs  Dickens. 
Blithedale  Romance.     Bv  Nathaniel 

Hawthorne. 
Bondmaiu     Bv  Hall  Cainb. 
Book    of   Golden   Deeds.     Bv    Ch/.r- 

i.ottr  M.  Yongb. 
Boone.  Daniel,  Life  of.     By  Cecil  B. 

H/.rtlfy 


Bride     of     Lammermoor.    Bt     Sim 

Walter  Scott 
Bride  of  the  Nile.     Bv  Gborgb  Ebbrs. 
Browning's    Poems.     Bv     LlizabbtH 

Barrett   Bkowmng. 
Browning's      Pcems.       (selbctjons.^ 

Bv  Robert  Browning. 
Bryant's  Poems,  (karlv.)     Bt  Will 

lAM  Culi.en  Bryant. 
Burgomaster's      Wife.     By      Georgx 

EUERS. 

Burn's  Poems.     Bv  Robbrt  Burks. 
By  Order  of  the  King.     By   Victoo 

Hugo. 
Byron's  Poems.     By  Lord  Bvbov. 
Caesar,    Julius,    Life    of.     Br    .|a:-:bs 

Anthony  Froudb. 
Carson,    Kit.    Life    of.     Br   Charlbs 

Burdbtt. 
Cary's  Poems.     By  Alicb  and  Phobbs 

Cary. 
Cast  Up  by  the  Sea.     6v  Sir  Samuel 

Baker. 
Charlemagne  (Charles  the  Great\  Lif» 

of.     By  Thomas  Hodgkik,  D.  C.  L. 
Charles  Auchester.     By  E.  Beroer. 
Character.     Bv  Samuel  Smiles. 
Charles      O'Malley.        Bv      Charlb» 

Lever. 
Chesterfield's  Letters.     Bv  Lord  Ches- 
terfield. 
Chevalier     de     Maison     Rotige.     Br 

.\lexandre  Dumas. 
Chicot   the    Jester.     Bv    Albxandr* 

DUMAS. 

Children  of  the  Abbey.     Bv  Recina 

Maria  Roche 
Child's     History     of     England.     By 

Charles.  Dickbns. 
Christmas     Stories.        Br      Charles 

Dickens. 
Cloister  and  the  Hearth.     Br  Charles 

Reade. 
Coleridge's  Poems.     Br  Samuel  Tay- 
lor Coleridge. 
Columbus,   Christopher,   Life  of.     Br 

Washington  Irving. 
Companions  of  Jehu.     Br  Albxandrs 

Dumas. 
Complete  Angler.     Br  Walton  and 

Cotton. 
Conduct  of  Life.     Bv  Ralph  Wald« 

Emer'-.on. 
Confessions  of  an  Opium  Eater.     Bv 

Thomas  de  Quincby. 
Conquest  of  Granada.     Br  Wafhino 

TON  Irving. 
Conscript.     Bv  Erckmann-Chatrian. 
Conspiracy  of  Pontiac.     By  Francis 

Park.man,  Jr. 
Conspirators.     By    Alexandre    Dt^ 

MAS. 

Consuelo.     Bv  George  Sand. 

Cook's  Voyages.     By  Captain  Jame» 

Cook. 
Corinne.     Bv  Madame  de  St  a  el. 
Countess  de  Chamey.     Br  Alexandrs 

Dumas. 
Countess    GiseU.     Bt    E     Marutt 


BURT'S  HOME  LIBRARY.    Cloth.    GIU  Tops.    Price,  $1.00 


Cotmtess  of  Rudolstadt.     By  Gborgb 

Sand. 
Couat     Robert    of    Paris.     By     Sir 

Waltbr  Scott. 
•Cottntry    Doctor.     By     Honore     de 

Balzac. 
Courtship  of  Miles  Standish.    By  H.  W. 

LONQFKLLOW. 

Cousin  Maude.     By  Mary  J.  Holmes. 

Crauford.     By  Mrs.  Gaskell. 

Crockett,  David,  Life  of.  An  Autobi- 
ography. 

Cromwell,  Oliver,  Life  of.  By  Edwix 
Paxton  Hood. 

Crown  of  Wild  Olive.  By  John 
Ruskin' 

Cruaades.      By  Geo.  W.  Cox.  M.  A. 

Daniel  Deronda.     By  George  Ei.iot. 

Darkness  and  Daylight.  By  Mary  J. 
Holmes. 

Data  of  Ethics.  By  Herbert  Spen- 
cer. 

Daughter  of  an  Empress,  The.  By 
Louisa  Muhlbach. 

David  Copperfield.  By  Charles 
Dickens. 

Days  of  Bruce.     By  Grace  Aguilar. 

Deemster,  The.     By  Hall  Caine. 

Deerslayer,  The.  By  James  Feni- 
MORE  Cooper. 

Descent  of  Man.  By  Charles  Dar- 
wi.v. 

Discourses  of  Epictetus.  Translated 
BY  George  Long. 

Divine  Comedy.  (Dante.)  Trans- 
lated BY  Rev.  H.  F.  Carey. 

Dombey&Son.  By  Charles  Dickens. 

Donal  Grant.     By  George  Macdon- 

ALD. 

Donovan.     By  Edna  Lyall. 

Dora  Deane.     By  Mary  J.  Holmes. 

Dove  in  the  Eagle's  Nest."  By  Char- 
lotte M.  Yonob. 

Dream  Life.     By  Ik  Marvel. 

Dr.  JekyU  and  Mr.  Hyde.  By  R.  L. 
Stevenson. 

Duty.     By  Samuel  Smiles. 

Early  Days  of  Christianity.  By  F.  W. 
Farrar. 

East  Lynne.     By  Mrs.  Henry  Wood. 

Edith  Lyle's  Secret.  By  Mary  J. 
Holmes. 

Education.     By  Herbert  Spencer. 

Egoist     By  Geor<;e   Meredith. 

Egvptian    Princess.     By    George 

fisERS. 

Eight  Hundred  Leagues  on  the  Ama- 
zon.    By  Jules  Verne. 

Eliot's  Poems.     By  G'.orge  Eliot. 

Elizabeth  and  her  German  Garden. 

Elizabeth  (Queen  of  England),  Life  of. 
By  Edward  Spencer  Beesly,  M.A. 

Elsie  Venner.  By  Oliver  Wendell 
Holmes. 

Emerson's  Essays,  (complete.)  By 
Ralph  Waldo  Emerson. 

Emerson's  Poems.  By  Ralph  Waldo 
Bmbrson. 

Stufisb    Orphans.      By      Mary      J. 

SOUCBS. 


English  Traits.      By  R.  W.  Emersom, 
Essays     in     Criticism.     (First     an» 

Second     Series.)     By     Matthb* 

Ar.vold. 
Essays  of  Ella.     By  Charles  Lamf. 
Esther.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 
Ethelyn's     Mistake.     By     Mary     J« 

Holmes. 
Evangeline,     (with   notes.)     By   B? 

W.  Longfellow. 
Evelina.     By  Frances  Burney. 
Fair  Maid  ot  Perth.     By  Sir  WaltbT: 

Scott. 
Fairy  Land  of  Science.     By  Arabell/v 

B.  Buckley. 
Faust.     (Goethe.)     Translated    Bf 

Anna  Swanwick. 
Felix  Holt.     By  George  Eliot. 
Fifteen  Decisive  Battles  of  the  World 

By  E.  S.  Creasy. 
File  No.  113.     By  Emile  Gaboriau. 
Firm  of  Girdlestone.     By  A.  ConaW 

Doyle. 
First  Principles.  By  Herbert  Spencer. 
First  Violin.     By  Jessib  Fothergill. 
For  Lilias.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 
Fortunes  of  NigeL     By  Sir  Walter 

Scott. 
Forty-Five  Guardsmen.     By  Albxak» 

DRE    DUM.\S. 

Foul  Play.     By  Charles  Rbadb. 
Fragments     of     Science.     By     Joh» 

Tyndall. 
Frederick,    the    Great,    Life    of.     By 

Francis  Kuoler. 
Frederick  the  Great  and  His  Court.     BY 

Louisa  Muhlbach. 
French  Revolution.     By  Thomas  Car« 

lyle. 
From   the   Earth   to   the   Moon.     By 

Jules  Verne. 
Garibaldi,  General,  Life  of.     By  Theo. 

DORE    DwIGHT. 

Gil  Bias,  Adventures  of.     By  A.  R.  Lb 

Sage. 
Gold     Bug     and     Other    Tales.    By 

Edgar  A.  Foe. 
Gold  Elsie.     Bv  E.  Marlitt. 
Golden    Treasury.     By    Francis    T, 

Palgrave. 
Goldsmith's      Poems.       By      Oliver 

Goldsmith. 
Grandfather's  Chair.     By  Nathaniel 

Hawthorne. 
Grant,  Ulysses  S.,  Life  of.     By  J.  T. 

Headley. 
Gray's  Poems.     By  Thomas  Gray. 
Great      Expectations.     By      Charles 

Dickens. 
Greek   Heroes.     Fairy   Tales   for   Mf 

Children.     By  Charles  Kingsley. 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  The.     By  D.  P, 

Thompson. 
Grimm's   Household  Tales.     By   thb 

Brothers  Grimm. 
Grimm's     Popular     Tales.     By     th8 

Brothers  Grimm. 
Gulliver's  Travels.     By  Dean  Swift. 
Guy    Manoering.     By    Sir    Waltbr 

Scott. 


BURT'S  HOME  LIBRARY.    Qoth.    Qllt  Top«.    Price,  Sl.Ot 


Hsle,  Ifathan,  th«  Martyr  Spy.  By 
Charujttb  Molynkux  Hollowav. 

Handy  Andy.     Br  Samuel  Lovbr. 

Hang  of  Iceland.     Bv  Victor  Hugo. 

HannibaU  the  Cartha8:inian,  Life  of. 
Bv  Thomas  Arnold,  M.  A. 

Hardy  Norseman,  A.    Bv  Edna  Lyall. 

Harold.     Bv   Bulwer-Lytton. 

Harry  Lorrequer.    By  Charles  Lbvbr. 

Heart  of  Midlothian.  By  Sir  Walter 
Scott. 

Heir  of  Rodclyffe.     By  Charlettb  M. 

YOMOB. 

Hemans'  Poems.  By  Mrs.  Felicia 
Hemans. 

Henry  Esmond.  By  Wm.  M.  Thack- 
eray. 

Henry,  Patrick.  Life  of.  Br  William 
Wirt. 

Her  Dearest  Foe.     Br  Mrs.  Albxan- 

OER. 

Hereward.     By  Charles  Kingslby. 
Heriot's  Choice.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 
Heroes     and      Hero- Worship.        By 

Thomas  Carlyle. 
Hiawatha,     (with  notes.)     By  H.  W. 

LO.VGPBLLOW. 

Hidden  Hand,  The.    (complete.)  By 

Mrs.  E.  D.  E.  N.  Southworth. 
History    of    a    Crime.       Bt    Victor 

Hugo. 
History  of  CiTilization  in  Europe.     By 

M.  Guizot. 
Holmes'  Poems.  (  early)  By  Oliver 

Wendell  lioLUES. 
Holy     Roman     Empire.     By    James 

Bhvce. 
Homestead  on  the  Hillside.     By  Mary 

J.  Holmes. 
Hood's  Poems.     By  Thomas  Hood. 
House     of     the     Seven     Gables.     By 

Nathaniel  Hawthorne. 
Hunchback     of     Notre     Dame.     Br 

Victor  Hugo. 
Hypetia.     By   Charles   Kingslby. 
Hyperion.     By    Henry    Wadsworth 

Lo.vfGFELLOW. 

Iceland  Fisherman,     By  Pierre  Loti. 
Idle  Thoughts  of  an  Idle  Fellow.     Bv 

Jerome  K.  Jerome. 
Iliad,     Pope's  Translation. 
Inez.     By  Augusta  J.  Evans. 
Ingelow's  Poems.     Bv  Jean  Ingblow. 
Initials.     By    thb    Baronbss    Taut- 

PllOEUS. 

Intellectual     Life.     By      Philip     G. 

Hambrton. 
In    the    Counsellor's    House.     By    E. 

Marlitt. 
In     the     Golden     Days.     By     Edna 

LVALL. 

In  the  Heart  of  the  Storm.  By 
Maxwell  Gray. 

In  the  Schillingscourt.  By  E.  Mar- 
litt. 

IshmaeL  (complete.)  By  Mrs.  E. 
D.  E.  N.  Southworth. 

It  Is  Never  Too  Late  to  Mend.  By 
Charles  Rbads. 


Ivanhoe.     By  Sir  Waltbr  Scott. 
Jane  Eyre.     By  Charlottb  Brontb. 
Jefferson,      Thomas,      Life      of.     Br 

Samuel  M.  Schmuckbr,  LL.D. 
Joan    of    Arc,    Life    of.     Bv    Julbs 

Michelbt. 
John   Halifax,   Gentleman.     By   Miss 

MULOCK. 

Jones,  John  Paul.  Life  of.     By  Jambs 

Otis. 
Joseph     Balsamo.     Br     Albxandrb 

Dumas. 
Josephine,  Empress  of  France,  Life  ot 

By  Frederick  A.  Obbk. 
Keats'  Poems.     By  John  Kbats. 
Kenilworth.     By  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Kidnapped.     By  R.  L.  Stevenson. 
King  Arthur  and  His  Noble  Knights. 

By  Mary  Maclbod. 
Knickerbocker's  History  of  Ifew  York. 

By  Washi.ngton  Irving. 
Knight  Errant.     Br  Edna  Lyall. 
Koran.     Translatbd      by      Gborgb 

Sale. 
Lady  of  the  Lake,     (with  motbs.)     Bj 

Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Lady  with  the  Rubies.     Br  E.  Mar. 

litt. 
Lafayette,  Marquis  de.   Life   of.     Bv 

P.  C.  Hbadley. 
Lalla     Rookh.     (with     notes.)     Br 

Thomas  Moorb. 
Lamplighter.     By     Maria     S.     Cum. 

MINS. 

Last  Days  of  PompelL    Br  Bolwsr* 

Lytton. 
Last    of    the    Barons.     Br    Bulwbr* 

Lytton. 
Last    of    the    Mohicans.     By    Jambs 

Penimore  Cooper. 
Lay    of    the    Last    MinstreL     (with 

notes.)     By  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Lee,  General  Robert  £.,  Life  of.     Br 

G.  Mercer  Adam. 
Lena  Rivers.     By  Mary  J.  Holmbs. 
Life   of    Christ.     By    Prbobrick   W 

Farrar. 
Life  of  Jesus.     By  Ernest  Rbnan. 
Light     of     Asia.     By     Sir     Edwin 

Arnold. 
Light     That     Failed.     Br     Rudyard 

Kipling. 
Lincoln,      Abraham.      Life      of.     Br 

Henry  Kbtcham. 
Lincoln's   Speeches.     Selected    and 

Edited  by  G.  Mercer    Ada.m. 
Literature  and  Dogma.     By  Matthew 

Arnold. 
Little  Dorrit.     By  Charles  Dickens. 
Little  Minister.     Bv  Jambs  M.  Barrie. 
Livingstone,      David.      Life     of.     By 

Thomas  Hughes. 
Longfellow's  Poems.      (Early.)     Bt 

Hbnrv  W.  Longpbllow. 
Loma  Doone.     By  R.  D.  Blackmorb. 
Louise  de  la  Valliere.     By  Albxandrx 

Du.«as. 
Love  Me  Little,  Love  Ma  Long.     Mr 

Cuarlbs  Rbadb. 


BURT'S  HOMB  LIBRARY.    Cloth.    QlltTops.    Price,  $1 .00 


Lowell's  Poems,     (early.)  By  James 

Russell  Lowell. 
Lticile.     By  Owen  Meredith. 
Macaria.     Bt  Augusta  J.  Evans. 
Macaulay's  literary  Essays.     By  T.  B. 

Macaulay. 
Macaulay's  Poems.     By  Thomas  Bab- 

iNOTON  Macaulay. 
Madame     Therese.     By     Erckmann- 

Chatrian. 
Maggie  Miller.     By  Mary  J.  Holmes. 
Mask  Skin.     By  Honore  de  Balzac. 
Manomet,  Life  of.     By  Washington 

Irving. 
Makers    of    Florence.     By  Mrs.  Oli- 

PHANT. 

Makers    of    Venice.     By    Mrs.    Oli- 

PHANT. 

Man  and  Wife.     By  Wilkib  Collins. 

Man  in  the  Iron  Mask.  By  Alexan- 
dre Dumas. 

Marble  Faim.  By  Nathaniel  Haw- 
thorne. 

Marguerite  de  la  Valois.  By  Alex- 
andre   Dumas. 

Marian  Grey.     By  Mary  J.  Holmes. 

Marius,  The  Epictirian.  By  Walter 
Pater. 

Marmion.  (With  Notes.)  By  Sir 
Walter  Scott. 

Marquis  of  Lossie.  By  George 
Macdonald. 

Martin  Chuzzlewit.  By  Charles 
Dickens. 

Maiy,  Queen  of  Scots,  Life  of.  By 
P.  C.  Headlhy. 

Mary  St.  John.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 

Master  of  Ballantrae,  The.  By.  R.  L. 
Stevenson. 

Masterman  Ready.  By  Captain  Mar- 
ryatt. 

Meadow  Brook.  By  Mary  J.  Holmes. 

Meditations  of  Marcus  Aurclius. 
Translated  by  George  Long. 

Memoirs  of  a  Physician.  By  Alexan- 
dra Dumas. 

Merle's  Crusade.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 

Micah  Clarke.     By  A.  Conan  Dolye. 

Michael  Strogoff.     By  Jules  Verne. 

Middlemarch.     By   George   Eliot. 

Midshipman  Easy.  By  Captain  Mar- 
ryatt 

Mildred.     By  Mary  J.  Holmes. 

Millbauk.     By  Mary  J.  Holmes. 

Mill  on  the  Floss.     By  George  Eliot. 

Milton's  Poems.     By  John  Milton. 

Mine  Own  People.     ByRudyardKip- 

LING. 

Minister's  Wooing,  The.     By  Harriet 

Bebcher  Stowe. 
Monastery.     Bv  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Moonstone.     By    AVilkie    Collins. 
Moore's  Poems.     By  Thomas   Moore 
Mosses    from    en     Old     Manse.     Bv 

Nathaniel  Hawthorne. 
Murders    in    the    Rue    Morgue.     By 

Edgar  Allen  Poe. 
Mysterious  Island.     By  Jules  Vernb. 
JNapoleon  Bonaparte,  Life  of.     By  P. 

C  HSADLEY. 


Napoleon   and  His   Marshals.     By  J 

T.  Headley. 
Natural  Law  in  the  Spiritual  World. 

By  Henry  Drummond. 
Narrative  of  Arthur  Gordon  Pym.     By 

Edgar  Allan  Pob. 
Nature,  Addresses  and  Lectures.     Bii 

R.  W.  Emerson. 
Nellie's     Memories.     Bt      Rosa      N 

Carey. 
Nelson,  Admiral  Horatio,  life  of.     Bt 

Robert  Southey. 
Newcomes.     By  Willsav  M.  Thack- 
eray. 
Nicholas  Nickleby.     By  Cras.   Dick- 
ens. 
Ninety-Three.     By  Victor  Hugo. 
Not  Like  Other  Girls.     By  Rosa   N. 

Carey. 
Odyssey,     Pope's  Translation. 
Old     Ctuiosity    Shop.     By     Charles 

Dickens. 
Old  Mam'selle's  Secret     By  E.  Mar- 

litt. 
Old     MortaUty.     By     Sir     Waltbr 

Scott. 
Old    Myddleton's   Money.     By    Mart 

Cecil  Hay. 
Oliver  Twist.     By  Chas.  Dickens. 
Only    the    Governess.     By    Rosa    N. 

Carey. 
On     the      Heights.     By      Bbrthold 

AUERBACH. 

Oregon  TraiL  By  Francis  Park- 
man. 

Origin  of  Species.  By  Charles 
Darwin. 

Other  Worlds  than  Ours.  By  Rich- 
ard Proctor. 

Our  Bessie.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 

Our  Mutual  Friend.  Bv  Charles 
Dickens. 

Outre-Mer.     By  H.  W.  Longfellow. 

Owl's  Nest.     By  E.  Marlitt. 

Page  of  the  Duke  of  Savoy.  By 
Alexandre  Dumas. 

Pair  of  Blue  Eyes.  By  Thomas 
Hardy. 

Pan    MichaeL      By    Hbnryk    Sien. 

KIEWICZ. 

Past   and   Present     Bv    Thos.    Car- 

LYLE. 

Pathfinder.     By     James      Fbnimorb 

Cooper. 
Paul    and   Virginia.     By    B.    db    Si. 

Pierre. 
Pendennis.  History  of.     By   Wm.  *>• 

Thackeray. 
Penn,  William,  Life  of.     By  W.  Hep- 
worth   Dixon. 
Pere  Goriot.     Bv  Honore  de  Balzac. 
Peter,  the  Great,  Life  of.     By  John 

Baprow. 
Peveril  of  the  Peak.     Bt  Sir  Walter 

Scott. 
Phantom  Rickshaw,   The.     By   Rud- 

yard  Kipling. 
Philip  II.  of  Spain,  Life  of.     By  Mar. 

tin  a.  S.  Hums. 
Picciola.    By  X.  B.  Saimtink. 


BURT'S  HOME  UBRARY.    Cloth.    QIItTops.    Price,  $1.M> 


Pickwick  Papers.     By  Charles  Dick* 

KNS. 

Pilgrim's  Progress.    By  John  Bunyan. 
Pillar  of  Fire.     By  Rbv.  J.  H.  Ingra- 

HAVI. 

Pilot.     By  Jambs  Fenimorb  Cooper. 
Koneers.       By      Jambs      Fbnimore 

Cooper. 
Pirate.     By  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Pliin  Tales  from  the  Hills.     By  Ruo- 

VARD  Kipling. 
fiato's  Dialogues.    Translated  by  J. 

'.Vright,  M.  a. 
Pleasures    of    Life.     By    Sir    John 

Lubbock. 
Poe's  Poems.     By  Edgar  A.  Fob. 
Pope's  Poems.     By  Alexander  Pope. 
Prairie.     By  Jambs  F.  Cooper. 
Pride   and  Prejudice.     By  Jane  Aus- 
ten. 
Prince  of  the  House  of  David.     By 

Rev.  J.  H.  Ingraham. 
Princess  Ok  the  Moor.     ByE.  Marlitt. 
Princess     of     Thule.     By     Willia.m 

Black. 
Procter's  Poems.     By  Adelaide  Proc- 
tor. 
Professor  at  the  Breakfast  Table.     By 

Oliver  Wendell  Holmes. 
Professor.     By    Charlotte    Bro.vte. 
Prue   and   L     By    George    William 

Curtis. 
Put  Yourself  in  His  Place.     Br  Chas. 

Rbade. 
Putnam,  General  Israel,  Life  of     By 

George  Canning  Hill. 
Queen  Hortense.     By  Louisa  Muhl- 

bach. 

Sueenie's  Whim.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 
ueen's    Keckiace.     By    Alexandre 

Dumas. 
Quentin  Durward.     By  Sir  Walter 

Scott. 
Rasselas,    History    of.     By    Samuel 

Johnson. 
Redgauntlet.     By  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
teed    Rover.     By    James    Fbnimore 

Cooper. 
kegent's  Daughter.     By  Alexandre 

Oumas. 
t(eign  of  Law.     By  Duke  of  Argyle. 
F.£presentative      Men.       By      Ralph 

\Valdo  Emerson. 
tlepublic   of   Plato.     Translated   by 

Uaviks  and  Vaughan. 
Return   of   the   Bative.     By  Thomas 

Hakdv. 
Reveries  of  a  Bachelor.     By  Ik  Mar- 

VKL. 

Reynard  the  Fox.     Edited  by  Joseph 

Jacobs. 
Rienzi.     By  Bulwbr-Lytton. 
Richelieu,      Cardinal,     Life     of.     By 

Richard  Lodgb. 
Robinson  Crusoe.     By  Daniel  Dbpoe. 
Rob  Roy.     By  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Romance  of  Natural  History.     By  P. 

H.  GossB. 
Romance  of  Two  Worlds.     By  Marie 

Corblu. 


Romola.     By  Gborgx  Eliot. 
Roiy  O'More.     By  Samuel  Lovrb. 
Rose  Mather.     By  Mary  J.  Holmes. 
Rossetti's  Poems.     Bv  Gabriel  Daxtb 

Rossetti. 
Royal     Edinburgh.     By     Mrs.     Oli. 

PHANT. 

Rutledge.     By  Mirian  Coles  Harris. 
Saint  Michael.     By  E.  Werner. 
Samantha    at    Saratoga.     By   Josiab 
Allbr's    Wife.     (Marietta    Hol- 

LEY.) 

Sartor    Resartus.     Br   Thomas    Car> 

LYLB. 

Scarlet  Letter.     By  Nathaniel  Haw- 

HORNE. 

Schonberg-Cotta    Family.     Br    Mrs. 

Andrew  Charles. 
Schopenhauer's  Essays.     Translated 

BY  T.  B.  Saunders. 
Scottish  Chiefs.     By  Jane  Porter. 
Scott's     Poems.     By     Sir     Waltb* 

Scott. 
Search     for     Basil     Lyndhurst.     Br 

Rosa  N.  Carey. 
Second  Wife.     By  E.  Marlitt. 
Seekers  After  God.     By  F.  W.  Farkar. 
Self-Help.     By  Samuel  Smiles. 
Self-Raised,     (complete.)     By    Mrs. 

E.  D.  E.  N.  Southworth. 
Seneca's  Morals. 
Sense     and     Sensibility.     Br     Janb 

Austen. 
Sentimental  Journey.     Br  Lawrencb 

Sterne. 
Sesame  and  Lilies.     By  John  Ruskin. 
Shakespeare's    Heroines.     By    Anna 

Jameson. 
Shelley's  Poems.     By  Pbrcy  Bysshb 

Shellev. 
Shirley.     By  Charlotte  Bronte. 
Sign    of    the    Four.     Br    A.  Conan 

Doyle. 
Silas  Marner.     By  George  Eliot. 
Silence  of  Dean  Maitland.     By  Max. 

well  Gray. 
Sir  Gibbie.     By  George  Macdonalo 
Sketch  Book.     By  Washington  Irt 

ING. 

Smith,  Captain  John,  Life  of.  By  W. 
(Jilmore  Simms. 

Socrates,  Trial  and  Death  of.  Trans- 
lated by  F.  J.  Church,  M.  A. 

Soldiers  Three.  By  Rudyard  Kip- 
ling. 

Springhaven.     Bv  R.  D.  Blackmorb. 

Spy.     By  James   Fbnimore  Cooper. 

Stanley,  Henry  M.,  African  Explorer, 
Life  of.     By  A.  Montepiorb. 

Story  of  an  African  Farm.     By  Olivb 

SCHRRINBR. 

Story  of  John  G.  Patoo.    Told  fob 

Young     Folks.     By     Rev.     Jas. 

Paton. 
St.   Ronan's  WeU.     Br  Sir  Waltbk 

Scott. 
Study    in    Scarlet     Br    A.    C^naii 

Doylb. 


BURT'S  HOME  LIBRARY.    Cloth.    QiltTops.    Price,  SI. 00 


Surgeon's  Daughter.  By  Sir  Walter 
Scott. 

Swinburne's  Poems.  By  A.  C.  Swin- 
burne. 

bwiss  Family  Robinson.  By  Jean 
Rudolph  Wyss. 

Talcing  the  Bastile.  By  Alexandre 
Dumas. 

Tale     of     Two     Cities.     By     Chas. 

DiCKBNS. 

Tales   from    Shakespeare.     By    Chas. 

AND  Mary  Lamb. 
Tales  of  a  Trar  I'lT.     By  Washington 

Irving. 
Talisman.     By  oiR  Walter  Scott. 
Tanglewood    Tales.     By     Nathaniel 

Hawthorns. 
Tempest  and  Sunshine.     By  Mary  J. 

Holmes. 
Ten  Nights  in  a  Bar  Room.     By  T.  S. 

Arthur. 
Tennyson's  Poems      . .  7  Alfred  Ten- 
nyson. 
Ten    Years    Later.     Bv    Alexander 

Dumas. 
Terrible     Tsmptation.     By     Charles 

Reads. 
Thaddeus     of     Warsaw.     By     Jane 

Porter. 
Thelma.     By  Marie  Coreli  t 
Thirty  Years'   War.     By    I'KbDERicK 

Schiller. 
Thousand    Miles    Up    the    Nile.     By 

Amelia  B.  Edwards. 
Three    Guardsmen.     By    Alexandre 

DU.MAS. 

Three  Men  in  a  Boat.     By  Jerome  K. 

Jerome. 
Tmift.     By  Samuel  Smiles. 
Throne    of   David.     By    Rev.    J.    H. 

Ingraham. 
Toilers  of  the  Sea.     By  Victor  Hugo 
Tom  Brown  at  Oxfo.d.     By  Thomas 

Hughes. 
Tom      Brown's      School     Days.     By 

Thos.  Hughes. 
Tom  Burke  of  "Ours."     By  Charles 

Lever. 
Tour  of  the  World  in  Eighty  Days. 

By  Jules  Verne. 
Treasure  Island.     By  Robert  Louis 

Stevenson. 
Twenty  Thousand  Leagues  Under  the 

Sea.     By  Jules  Verne. 
Twenty  Years  After.     By  Alexandre 

Dumas. 
Twice    Told    Tales.     By    Nathaniel 

Hawthorne. 
Two  Admirals.     By  James  Penimorb 

Cooper. 
Two  Dianas.     By  Alexandre  Dumas. 
Two  Years  Before  the  Mast.     By  R.  H. 

Dana,  Jr. 
Uarda.     By  George  Ebbrs. 
Uncle  Max.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 
Uncle    Tom's    Cabin.     By    Harriet 

Bbechbr  Stowb. 
Under  Two  Flags.     By  "Ouida." 


Utopia.     By  Sir  Thomas  More. 
Vanity  Fair.     By  Wm.  M.  Thackerat 
Vendetta.     By  Marib  Corelli. 
Vespucius,  Americus,  Life  and  Voyages 

By  C.   Edwards  Lester. 
Vicar     of      Wakefield.     Bv     Olives 

Goldsmith. 
Vicomte   de    Bragelonne.     By   Alex 

ANDRE  Dumas. 
Views  A-Foot.     By  Bayard  Tavlok 
Villette.     By  Charlotte  Bronte. 
Virginians.     By  Wm.  M.  Thackeray 
Walden.     By  Henry  D.  Thoreau. 
Washington,     George,     Life     of.     b\ 

Jared  Spap.ks. 
Washington  and  His  Generals.     By  J 

T.  Headley. 
Water  Babies.     By  Charles  Ki.vcs 

LEY. 

Water     Witch.     By     James      Feni 

MORE  Cooper. 
Waverly.     By  Sir  Walter  Scott. 
Webster,  Daniel.  Life  of.     By  Samuel 

M.  Schmucker,  LL.D. 
Webster's       Speeches.       (Sei,ectbd.) 

By  Daniel  Webster. 
Wee  Wifie.     By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 
Westward  Hoi     By  Charles  KiNGi 

LEY. 

We  Two.     By  Edna  Lyall. 

What's  Mine's  Mine.  By  Georgk 
Macdonald. 

When  a  Man's  Single.  By  J.  M. 
Barrie. 

White  Company.  By  A.  Conam 
Doyle. 

Whites  and  the  Blues.  By  Alex- 
a.mdre  Dumas. 

Whittier's  Poems,  (early.)  By  John 
G.    Whittier. 

Wide,  Wide  World.  By  Susa.m  War- 
mer. 

William,  the  Conqueror,  Life  of.  By 
Edward  A.  Freeman,  LL.D. 

WilUam,  the  Silent,  Life  of.  By 
Frederick   Harrison. 

Willy  ReiUy.  By  William  Carle, 
ton. 

Window  in  Thrums.     By  J.  M.  Barri^ 

Wing  and  Wing.  By  James  I-"eni- 
more  Cooper. 

Wolsey,  Cardinal,  Life  of.  By  Man- 
dell  Creighton. 

Woman  in  White.  By  Wilkie  Col- 
lins. 

Won  by  Waiting.     By  Edna  Lyall. 

Wonder  Book.  For  Boys  a.vd 
Girls.  By  Nathaniel  Haw- 
thorne. 

Woodstock.     By  Sir  Walter  Scott. 

Wooed  and  Married.  By  Rosa  N. 
Carey. 

Wooing  O't.     By  Mrs.  Alexander. 

Wordsworth's  Poems.  Bv  William 
Wordsworth. 

Wormwood.     By  Marie  Corelli. 

Wreck  of  the  Grosvenor.  By  W. 
Clark  Russbu.. 


ill! '" "' ''"''  "'li'""  iiiiiiiii 


A     000  127  547     8 


